The night of the ball came and I was admittedly kind of excited. The four of us girls were crowding in the bathroom, fighting over who got full use of the mirror. Ultimately, Lavender and Parvati won. Well, more like Hermione and I moved to the side and let them squeal about make-up and hair while we applied the finished touches to our looks in the dorm room.
"You look great, 'Mione," I grinned.
"You really think so?" Hermione asked, trying but failing to hide her grin.
"You really do," I assured her. "Krum's not going to be able to keep his eyes off you all night!"
"Shh... keep your voice down," Hermione whispered urgently, glancing around to see if Lavender or Parvati were listening. As I already presumed, they weren't. "Turn around so I can braid your hair."
"Why don't you just tell them," I asked, complying to Hermione's wish.
"Because I don't want—"
"Them to fuss? Yeah, I know. But come on, I'm sure they'll be cool..."
Her voice trailed off as yet another excited squeal came from the bathroom.
"Never mind," I sighed in defeat, earning a small chuckle from Hermione.
Twenty minutes later, Hermione and I made out way downstairs and paused briefly before deciding not to wait for the boys.
Hermione and I walked through the corridors which was bustling with girls in elegant dresses and boys in handsome robes, their expressions containing both excitement and nervousness.
"Where did you say we're meeting the guys?" I asked Hermione, shouting over the growing noise. It turned out, Krum did have a single friend who agreed to accompany me to the Yule Ball.
"The entrance hall!" Hermione shouted back, pushing through a large group of people.
Sure enough, when we finally pushed our way through to the Entrance Hall, Krum was waiting for us, leaning against a pillar, talking casually to another Durmstrang wizard.
"Here we go," Hermione said nervously, before walking over the join the two guys.
"Good evening Hermy-own," Krum greeted in his thick accent. "Meet my friend, Ivan Borislav."
"It's nice to meet you, Ivan," Hermione nodded politely. "This is my friend, Leaena Malfoy."
"Lean's fine," I said quickly, extending my arm for Ivan to shake. However, he bent down and kissed it.
"Nice to meet you, Lean," Ivan said in a surprisingly non-Bulgarian accent.
It was then that I realised how handsome this stranger looked for a blind date. With his shaggy, sandy brown hair, hazel eyes and perfectly positioned nose. It was an odd detail to throw in there, but it was what instantly caught my attention.
McGonagall called for the champions and so Hermione left with Krum, leaving me alone with Ivan.
"Is it just tonight, or do you always look this beautiful?" Ivan flirted, tucking a stray hair behind my ears.
I raised a brow. Not that he was wrong. I'd definitely put some effort into my looks tonight. Hermione had braided my hair and twisted it into a low bun, leaving a few wispy hairs to frame my face. Made from red satin, my dress was strapless and fell to just above my knees. The moment I'd slipped into it earlier that evening, I'd felt a surge of daringness, which was partly while I chose to add matching red lip stick which drew focus to my lips. I didn't usually wear heavy make-up but like I said, I was feeling bold. That was also the reason for my glistening golden high heels.
When I took too long to answer, Ivan grimaced. "Too cheesy?"
"Definitely," I chuckled, pleased when Ivan didn't act all offended and laughed along with me until the doors to the Great Hall finally opened. The Hall looked amazing! Perfectly decorated for Christmas with silver frost and hanging mistletoe. The four house tables had vanished and in their placed were many smaller tables, each seating about a dozen people.
Ivan led the way to two seats at one of the tables, pulling out a chair for me. I gave him a small smile as I slipped into the chair. The sound of scraping chairs filled the Hall as everyone took their seats. I hesitated before asking, "So... have you always attended Durmstrang?"
Ivan seemed puzzled as he replied, "Yes, of course. No other school for me. Why do you ask?"
"Nothing," I said with a shrug. "I was just wondering because... well your accent is a little... different..."
Ivan stared at me in a way that made me instantly regret my words. That was, until his face morphed into a grin. "You're right. I was born and raised in America. My father attended Durmstrang when he was my age, and he really loved it, always talked about sending his son or daughter there one day. But then he moved to America where he met my mother. Long story short, my father arranged for me to attend Durmstrang during the school year but still stay with my mother in the States for summer."
"That's interesting," I nodded along. "I actually lived in America for a few years."
"I thought I could detect a small accent..."
"It was only three years, I doubt I picked up much."
"Well you'd be surprised. So tell me, how was it you ended up in the States?"
We talked well into the night, stopping every now and again for a dance or two. Hermione and Krum too looked like they were having a good time. And when I caught a sigh of Neville, I presumed he was happy even if he was somewhat awkward with Ginny. Harry and Ron on the other hand, looked rather moody and their dates (the two Patil twins) left for two Beauxbatons boys early in the evening.
"Should I get us some drinks?" Ivan asked, as we walked off the dance floor after a particular fast-moving dance.
"Butterbeer please," I begged dramatically, earning a small laugh from Ivan as he walked off to get the drinks.
I looked around the room for someone to join. But none of my friends were sitting down – Hermione was dancing with Krum, Neville with Ginny. And I had no clue where Harry and Ron had wandered off to...
With a sigh, I walked over to the nearest free table and collapsed into one of the chairs.
I'd only been sitting a minute or so when the sound of footsteps grew nearer. I glanced around hopefully, presuming it was Ivan returning with the promised drinks, but I was greatly disappointed.
"What do you want?" I muttered grumpily.
"Ouch, is that the way you treat your brother?"
"Funny how you keep calling yourself my brother when you haven't done anything 'brotherly' for me all term," I spat venomously, sending Draco a look of deep revulsion.
"Families are always complicated."
"Not like ours. Do you know what Father said to me before the holidays?" Without waiting for a response, I continued. "He hates me for what happened at the Sorting. He told me I was not welcome back home, not that I was going back, but still, it hurts when your own father pushes you away at Christmas."
"Lean, I'm sorry," Draco murmured, placing a hand on my shoulder and sliding into the seat next to me. And for a moment, I thought he actually meant it. But before either of us could say anything more, Pansy Parkinson skipped over to our table.
"I'm back! Ready to dance Draco?"
"Um..." Draco said uncertainly, his eyes never leaving mine. "Just a second..."
"Are you seriously blowing me off for your sister! She's traitor to your family and all purebloods in general!"
"I'm right here Pansy," I muttered angrily, but the Slytherin took no notice.
"Right," Draco said, as if just realising something. He stood up abruptly. "I just came to tell you, Lean, that... that you should buy a badge in support of Cedric Diggory. Everyone knows he's the only worthy Triwizard Champion." Then he strode off, Pansy clutching his arm and smirking back at me.
I just blinked. But soon, the initial surprise wore off and was replaced with fury. I was mad at Draco for bullying my friend in front of me, mad at Pansy for pulling him away just as things between us were starting to look up, but mostly mad at myself for actually believing Draco could ever see me as more than a Malfoy sorted into the 'wrong' house.
"I brought us drinks," Ivan said cheerily.
"I'm not thirsty anymore," I grumbled.
"Okay, would you like to dance again or just talk?"
I stood up suddenly. "I'm tired, I think I'll just go to bed."
Ivan called after me, but I ignored him, running out of the Hall before my tears could spill.
I was half way up the marble staircase when I heard somebody call out my name.
"Go away Ivan."
"Who's Ivan," the voice said again, and this time I recognised the voice.
"H-harry?" I choked, spinning around, the force knocking me off my feet.
Harry jogged up the staircase to help me back to my feet. "Are you okay?" He asked kindly.
"Obviously not," I retorted, more rudely than I'd meant it.
"What happened?" Harry asked kindly. "Was is this Ivan guy?"
I shook my head.
"Any guy?"
I started to shake my head, but then stopped and nodded. "Sort of. It... it was my brother."
"Malfoy?" Harry clarified through raised eye brows.
"Yeah, he approached me just before and..." my voice trailed off. Harry nodded, not needing me to finish to understand how much Draco had hurt me.
"I'll walk you back to the common room," Harry offered but I shook my head.
"Thanks, but I think I just need to be alone."
Harry hesitated before nodding. "Okay, if you're sure."
"Don't worry," I said meekly. "I'm not going to run into the dungeons this time."
"Right," Harry said a little awkwardly. Neither of us had once mentioned that afternoon after Moody's lesson on how to fight the Imperious Curse. It was as if we made a silent agreement to forget about it. Well, I would never forget it.
"Thank you," I said quietly. "For then and now. You're a good friend, Harry."
Harry nodded. "I'll see you tomorrow?"
I nodded and gave him a small smile. "See ya, Harry."