Chapter 33:

The Yule Ball

Two weeks before the Yule Ball, Jessa returned from studying for pre-holiday exams to find two wrapped boxes at the foot of her bed. Puzzled, she moved to open them, starting with the larger box.

Inside, neatly folded, lay a beautiful light purple dress. The bodice sparkled with varying shades of purple, turning iridescent in the light, before swapping over into an empire waist of flowing material.

Miss Potter –

I am so happy to hear you and Draco are a couple now. Happy holidays and enjoy your time at the ball.

- Mrs. Malfoy

Carefully placing the dress aside, she opened the second box to find short silver heals and another card.

Don't be mad – but I reached out to Mrs. Malfoy for help. You deserve it. Blaise.

Shaking her head in an odd mixture of exasperation and fondness, she carefully placed the boxes and their precious items away until she needed them.

The day of Christmas Eve, Jessa and Taryn disappeared into the dormitory to get ready together. They were the only two Slytherin girls of their year attending.

Taryn helped her curl and pin back her long red tresses, forming perfect ringlets with her wand.

"My mum taught me. It's traditional in pure-blood houses that we know how to dress and act for formal events," she explained, applying light make-up to her friend's face before working on her own.

"Draco mentioned something similar." Taryn just nodded.

An hour and a half later, the girls slipped into their dresses and shoes.

"You look beautiful, Jessa. But I think this would finish it off perfectly," she said, handing the other girl a small box.

"What is this?"

"Happy Christmas," Taryn simply replied as Jessa opened the box to reveal a pair of beautiful rose-gold tear-drop earrings.

"You didn't have to…but I – thank you! They're wonderful!"

The two girls hugged, before applying finishing touches and heading towards the common room.

Some of the older boys were waiting as dates in their house got ready. Blaise and Adrian were no exception.

"You look wonderful, Jessa," Adrian replied as he gave his sister his arm. It was different attending a formal event with friends, at school, than at home. He wanted his sister to experience that – and didn't want her best friend to be without a girl friend.

"Thank you. I'll see you in there," she replied, giving a small wave and smile as he escorted her best friend out towards the Great Hall.

"You look stunning," Blaise said immediately, his typical charming voice causing her to blush.

"Thank you. For writing Mrs. Malfoy, for helping," she said, smiling at him.

"My pleasure."

Suddenly, she felt arms wrap around her; she stiffened, even as a familiar and welcome voice whispered in her ear, "You look absolutely beautiful." Her blush grew even more apparent, and she looked down.

"Shall we?" her boyfriend suggested, and she nodded, still embarrassed.

"Save me a dance," Blaise requested as they passed, causing Draco to shoot a glare at him.

The couple entered the Great Hall, and Jessa's eyes widened in awe. The walls of the Hall had all been covered in sparkling silver frost, with hundreds of garlands of mistletoe and ivy crossing the starry black ceiling. The House tables had vanished; instead, there were about a hundred smaller, lantern-lit ones, each seating about a dozen people.

"Wow," she breathed out, and Draco looked at her, gaze softening for just a moment.

"Come. Let's grab a seat before the champions enter," he suggested, walking over to a smaller table in the corner, which would seat only about half a dozen people. They weren't able to sit before the champions began entering. Harry in particular looked very uncomfortable in the formal wear.

As the champions began the dancing, Draco held out his hand.

"Draco, I – I don't know how," she admitted, her cheeks burning bright red. His stoic expression softening, he led her out onto the floor.

"Just follow my lead," he said softly, holding his girlfriend. From above her head, he noticed Potter staring harshly at them. Draco smirked at the Gryffindor, but said nothing.

However, while Jessa didn't notice her brother's reaction, she did notice was Pansy Parkinson's reaction. The girl was staring at her with utter loathing.

"Draco…dance with Pansy," she said quietly.

"What? Jessa, I don't want to be with her like that, why would I – "

" – because you've grown up together; because she's jealous and this would have been her place, if not for me." Jessa explained.

"I'm going to get a drink," she announced, pushing Draco towards the other girl, whom he grudgingly went to dance with.

Leaning against the table, small cup in hand, Jessa looked out upon a scene she had only dreamed of before.

"Enjoying yourself?" a voice asked teasingly, and Jessa turned to see Dean Thomas standing next to her.

"Yes, and you?"

"Yeah. So…you're here with Malfoy, right?" he inquired then, and she sighed.

"Yes. I – I just don't see the big deal," she replied, her voice growing tense. However, Dean simply put his hands up in a defensive position.

"Hey, I was just asking," he said, causing them to both laugh a bit.

"Sorry," said Jessa, but he simply shook his head.

"Are you hungry? We could – "

"Thomas, what do you want?" a cold voice asked, interrupting.

"Draco, we were just talking, what's your problem?" Jessa retorted before Dean could speak, her eyes narrowed. This was the side of him that she could not understand.

"You're here with me, that's the problem."

"Yet you just danced with Parkinson," Dean pointed out.

"On her request," snapped Draco. "Jessa, you can't – "

"Don't you dare tell me what I can and can't do, Draco Malfoy. I'm your girlfriend, not a toy or a pet," she interrupted furiously.

"C'mon Dean, I liked your suggestion," she announced, pulling the Gryffindor boy towards where she had spotted his friend sitting, trying not to look at Malfoy's shocked and somewhat hurt expression. She knew it was a bit mean, but he needed to realize who she was…or at least, who she was trying to be.

"You all know Jessa, right?" he asked as they approached the table. Ginny nodded and smiled as her yearmate took the seat adjacent. Seamus nodded a 'hello' from behind his glass. Jessa recognized, but couldn't name, the third boy.

"I don't think we've ever actually met. Neville," he said.

"Jessa. Nice to meet you. You're in Harry's year, too, yeah?" she replied, shaking his hand. He nodded.

As Jessa turned to Ginny, Dean leaned over towards Neville, who had shot him a questioning look. "Harry's sister," he said, by way of explanation why the girl who came with Malfoy was suddenly sitting with them.

"Not that I'm not glad to see you, but what happened?" Ginny asked in a low voice.

"Draco got angry that I was talking to Dean. We might be dating now, but that doesn't give him the right to tell me who I can or can't talk to – anymore than it gives Harry a right."

Ginny nodded in understanding. "Is everything alright then? Between you and your brother?"

"I hope so. Doesn't matter right now, because I'm making him dance with me."

"Seriously? You've met your brother, right?"

"That's why I'm not giving him a choice," she announced, rising with a small wave and making her way to where Harry sat sullenly.

"Dance with me?" she requested, holding out her hand.

"You're joking," he said flatly, staring up at her. When she didn't withdraw her hand, he stared harder. "You're not joking."

"We don't get to go to these things. One dance, that's it."

Grudgingly, knowing a losing battle when he saw one, Harry got to his feet.

"You look very pretty, by the way."

"Thank you," she paused for a beat. "I feel pretty like this."

"I saw you with Dean; is everything okay with you and Malfoy?" asked Harry.

"We – we simply had a small row, that's all. And Dean's a friend, or a possible one, that's all," she replied. "I thought you'd be happy I'm becoming friendly with your roommates."

"I am, I'm just surprised," he said, noting Malfoy looking at them. With a roll of his eyes, he jerked his head, inviting his rival over.

"I'll see you later," he muttered as Draco took his spot.

"I'm sorry," Draco whispered. "I just couldn't stand the sight of you being friendly with another boy…other than your brother, I mean," he clarified.

"I – I understand, but please, trust me when I say that it's only you I have those feelings for. Dean is simply being nice. I am his mate's sister. And moreover, it pleases Harry that I'm making friends in Gryffindor. Can you understand that?" she replied.

"Yes; you want your brother's approval and I just have to accept that you're not a normal Slytherin," he answered.

"Draco, I was never a normal Slytherin. Why should I start now?" she retorted, a small smile on her face, earning a true laugh from her boyfriend.

"Now, I do believe Blaise asked for a dance. Are you okay with that?" she questioned somewhat mockingly.

"I suppose; and only because I know Blaise actually cares for you. Not to mention he would be a fool to play his usual games with someone like you," Draco said, giving her a tight squeeze as he motioned to Blaise, who came over with a smirk.

"You finally convinced him to let me have a chance?" he asked sarcastically, causing her to laugh.

"Yes, Blaise, I did."

"Well, you're certainly putting him in his place, that's for sure. Probably for the first time, too," he commented. Jessa's brow furrowed.

"What do you mean?"

"Draco's very used to getting what he wants, when he wants it. He isn't used to having to having others stand up to him – especially peers. It's interesting to watch. Especially coming from a girl. Most ignore him or fawn over him. Probably the reason he asked you out and not one of them. You're different."

"The good kind, right?"

He looked closer, before bringing a hand to her shoulder and guiding her out towards the frosted front lawn for some air.

"Of course, the 'good kind'. I'm sorry if people haven't made you welcome, but you are."

"You're rather pleased with yourself for us finally becoming a couple, aren't you?"

He smirked. "Yes. Very. I've known Draco since we were kids. You're a good match. I wouldn't push my best friend towards someone I didn't think was good for him."

"Thank you, Blaise," she whispered, wrapping her arms around her to in an attempt to ward off the cold air.

"Are you cold?" he asked, seeing her movement.

"I'm fine, thanks though," she replied, thought it was obvious she was lying. But then again, she was used to being uncomfortable. Suddenly, she felt something over her shoulders, and turned to see Draco once more, draping his jacket over her shoulders.

"We know you're lying," he said, firmly looking at her.

"Blaise, can you excuse us for a bit?" he asked then, looking up at his friend, who nodded once, before leaving the couple alone.

"Jessa, why can't you just admit when you aren't comfortable?" he asked her softly.

"Draco, for the last time, I'm used to it. I'm not used to people wanting to help me," she replied, exasperated.

"Well then, get used to it. Because I'm not going anywhere, and I doubt Zabini is either," he retorted sharply.

"I – you're sure?" she stuttered, surprised at his sudden anger.

Draco sighed, turning away from her to regain his composure. Taking a deep breath, he turned back, putting his hands on her shoulders.

"I promise," he said quietly, and was shocked to see both doubt and hope sparkling in her eyes.

"Thank you. You don't know what that means," she whispered, wrapping her arms around him.

"C'mon, we've still got a few more hours left of the ball; surely you don't want to spend them out here?" he suggested, draping his arm around her as they walked back inside.

The room had emptied out since they left – only about a quarter of the students remained. Jessa leaned into her boyfriend, wondering what miracle had occurred that made it possible for her to gain the friends she had made since coming to Hogwarts.