"You'll learn, as you get older, that rules are made to be broken. Be bold enough to live life on your terms, and never, ever apologise for it. Go against the grain, refuse to conform, take the road less travelled instead of the well-beaten path. Laugh in the face of adversity, and leap before you look. Dance as though EVERYBODY is watching. March to the beat of your own drummer. And stubbornly refuse to fit in."
- Mandy Hale, The Single Woman: Life, Love, and a Dash of Sass
Draco sipped on his punch as his eyes narrowed at the brown, curly haired witch along with the red headed Weasel she was dancing with. She deserved better and he knew it. His fingers tightened around the glass he was holding, if he had super strength the glass would have been pulverised into dust by now. The anger that was coursing through him was stronger than normal and he hated it.
He hated her for making him feel like this.
But that wasn't the truth, Draco didn't hate Hermione. He didn't hate her one bit. In fact, he was in love with her and had been since third year when she punched him right in the jaw. Sometimes he swore he could still feel a twinge in his jaw. What he did hate though was seeing Hermione dancing with the Weasel. He wasn't good enough for her, Hermione deserved the world and he wanted to be the one to give it to her. As he watched Ron twirl Hermione around the edge of the dance floor he felt his jaw tighten, he was ready to aim the glass directly at his head when he felt a calming hand on his shoulder. He turned slightly to see Blaise smirking at him.
"And here I was thinking that you were going to be discreet about your little infatuation with Granger" He smirked
Draco rolled his eyes, "I can't help it" He muttered, eyes drifting back over to Hermione. "Especially when she's dancing with the Weasel. I can't stand it"
Blaise nodded, his own eyes falling on the unlikely couple of Pansy and Goyle, his own heart aching at the sight of his affections enjoying the ball with someone else. "Believe me I know the feeling"
Draco glanced at his friend in surprise, it wouldn't be often that Blaise would open up about his feelings.
"Anyway, this isn't about me" Blaise shrugged. "This is about you and what you're going to do about Hermione. You need to do something otherwise someone else" He nodded in Ron's direction. "Might already have her affections"
Draco snorted, seeing Hermione and Ron together in a romantic relationship would be the day when pigs would fly. They wouldn't work as a couple, no matter how much everyone else wanted them to work. But he just hoped he could make Hermione see that. He knew he had been a jerk to her in the past but he wanted to prove to her that he was different, that he didn't hold those prejudices that he once had. It was time for him to be a man and not care about what anyone else thinks. Draco Malfoy needed to be selfish again.
"Come on dude, you're Draco freakin Malfoy. If anyone can get the girl, it's you" Blaise patted him on the back with a grin
"Thanks for the pep talk Zabini" Draco drawled, a smirk appearing on his face as he glanced at his friend. "And yes, I'll help you come up with a plan to get Parkinson"
Blaise's eyes widened in surprise, he had thought he had been discreet with his looks at her. Well, more discreet than Draco anyway. But evidently he was wrong. He shuffled awkwardly on the spot before Draco laughed, shaking his head and a smiled. "You're not the only one who hasn't been discreet. Well to me anyway but we're two fools in love so we can't help it. And here's hoping we can win over the girls"
With that Draco shoved his glass into his friend's hand as he began taking strides to where Hermione was now standing, her dance partner now forgotten as she stood at the drinks table by herself. As he got closer to her he could feel the nerves beginning to build, and for once in his life Draco felt truly terrified. He had never been this scared or nervous to ask a girl out before. It was probably down to the fact that he knew what Hermione was capable of, she was the brightest witch of their age after all.
Just as he approached the table he paused to take a deep breath before finally taking a place beside her, he silently filled up a new glass of punch while Hermione was yet to notice his presence. After a few moments of silence Draco realised he was going to be the one who needed to break the silence.
"Granger" He spoke softly so as not to alarm her
Hermione spun round in surprise, finding none other than Draco Malfoy standing on front of her. She gulped, eyeing his hands for any sign of his wand but when she realised it was all clear she sighed in relief. "Yes, Malfoy?"
Draco felt his mouth go dry, he didn't think she would speak to him but that was one of the hardest steps over with. He took a sip of his drink to try cool himself down. "Has your date wandered off and left you all alone?"
Hermione frowned, he wasn't being mean or taunting her, it seemed like he was trying to have a genuine conversation. "I didn't attend with anyone" She shrugged, taking a glance at the dance floor.
"Strange, I thought when I saw you and We-Ron" Draco winced at using his actual name, but if he wanted to show her he had changed then he needed to at least try to appear civil towards her friends. "When I saw you and Ron dancing together I thought you two had come together to finally announce your relationship to the whole of Hogwarts"
Hermione was silent for a moment and Draco's fear grew as he realised that she might confirm her relationship status at any point, but he was pleasantly surprised when Hermione broke out into a fit of laughter. Draco couldn't fight the grin that appeared on his face as he watched and listened to her laugh, he watched as her nose crinkled up ever so slightly and it had to be the cutest thing he had ever seen. Not that he would like to admit that he finds anything cute. But in this moment, she was the most breathtaking witch he had ever seen.
Slowly Hermione's laughter quietened down and she beamed a dazzling smile at him, "Oh Draco" She giggled as Draco felt his heart flutter at the sound of his name on her lips. "Ron and I aren't together. And I don't think we ever will be, firstly he has his eyes set on someone else" Hermione nodded her head in the direction of Ron and a blonde girl who Draco could only assume to be Lavender Brown, embroiled in a very intense make out session on the dance floor.
"And secondly, Ron and I are friends. We're only ever going to be friends. I'd much rather be with a Wizard whose more...Mature. And doesn't have the emotional range of a teaspoon" Hermione smirked. Draco knew from her words there was a story in there somewhere but right now he didn't want to ask any more questions about Ron. Now that he knew she was single he wanted to woo her.
"So why are you speaking to me Draco?"
Draco inhaled deeply, she always had been a curious one. "I want to show you something"
"Show me what exactly?" Hermione questioned, "This isn't some trick is it? Your Slytherin friends aren't going to come up and prank me are they?" She looked quickly over her shoulder to make sure the coast was clear.
Draco couldn't help but chuckle, without saying another word he took both of their glasses and sat them back on the table. "No, no one is going to come up and prank you from behind Granger. I know this is a lot to ask of you right now" He smiled softly much to the surprise of Hermione, she hadn't seen him smile before, only a smirk. This was a whole new side he was showing to her. "But trust me" He held out his hand towards her, hoping that she would take it.
Hermione glanced at it warily, unsure whether or not to trust him, even through all of the years of hell he had put her and her friends through something in her gut was telling her to trust him. This side of Draco she was getting to see was a side she quite liked, and she just hoped that it wouldn't be a facade just to try get a few laughs from his friends. Hermione pursed her lips for a moment, glancing between his hand and his eyes that shone bright with hope. She felt a pair of eyes upon her and glanced to the side to see Ginny and Harry staring at her with curiosity and confusion, just behind them was Blaze Zabini who was trying to keep the grin off his face.
Throwing caution to the wind Hermione finally placed her hand in Draco's, gasping at the sudden bolt of electricity that shot through her body. Draco grinned at her and pulled her towards the dance floor just as the song was changing a slower song.
They'll tell you I don't care anymore
And I hope you'll know that's a lie
Cause I've found what I have been waiting for
But to get there means crossing a line
I don't know how to warn you for what I'm gonna say
Cause you're holding so tight to what I'm taking away
I got demons inside me so I'm faced with a choice
Either try to ignore them or I give them a voice
Hermione barely took in the words or the meaning of the song as Draco was wrapping his arms around her waist and her hands had automatically slid themselves onto the nape of his neck. They both stared at each other in surprise, both enjoying the warm feeling of contact from each other.
And it's keeping me up at night
Worried it's not alright
Holding back things you don't know
And it's keeping me up at night
Worried it's not alright
You're not gonna like where this goes
And they'll tell you I don't care anymore
And I hope you'll know that's a lie
Cause I've found what I have been waiting for
But to get there means crossing a line
So I'm crossing a line
Hermione could feel the stares on her back but for once in her life she didn't care, she was done with the rumours and the gossip. She wanted to enjoy the rest of her time at Hogwarts even if it meant she was subject to ridicule. Right now she was just concentrating on being in the Slytherin Princes' arms and actually enjoying it. Draco who was sensing the cogs turning in her brain just smiled and pulled her closer.
"Hermione" He whispered
Hermione gulped as she felt his warm breath on air, between that and him saying her first name for the first time sent shivers down her spine. "Y-Yes Draco"
"I just want you to know that I'm sorry" He admitted, pulling back to look her in the eyes. "For everything. Over the past 6 years I have been an absolute prat to you...And you're friends" He shot a look towards Harry and Ginny, maybe they weren't so bad but he absolutely drew the line at being friends with the boy Weasel. Civil he could do, but not friends. "This may not excuse my behaviour but a lot of my prejudices and beliefs were forced into me by my Father. And I hate the fact that I let him bury those stereotypes into my brain" He frowned, he certainly felt a lot of anger and resentment towards his Father, but he had finally received his comeuppance and had been imprisoned in Azkaban.
Hermione's mouth dropped open slightly in surprise, of all the things she could have imagined happening tonight at the House Ball, she didn't think Draco Malfoy apologising to her would be one of them. She went to speak but Draco shook his head, signalling that he wasn't finished just yet.
"I wish I had known when I was younger that it's not always about blood status. Everyone is unique in their own way and talent comes in all shapes and forms. So I'm sorry Hermione, for everything. Especially for calling you that dreaded M word" Draco shuddered and so did Hermione, both flinching at the memories.
It's not about status, we know it never was
Cause what good is the kingdom when you're missing the love
This is not a goodbye now, I'm not going away
No I don't have the answers but I do have the faith
And it's keeping me up at night
Worried it's not alright
Holding back things you don't know
And it's keeping me up at night
Worried it's not alright
You're not gonna like where this goes, no
"I don't think whenever we first met that I was really upset about your status. Well, I know it was never that. Whenever I first saw you, bushy hair and all, I knew deep down that I would never be able to have you in my life and that made me angry. It made me resent you and I hate myself for that" Draco sighed, looking down at his feet as they slowly turned in circles. "But what I've now come to realise is that the Slytherin Prince is alone in his Kingdom, but the kingdom is missing something. And that's love" Draco felt his heart hammering inside of his chest, he was close to admitting how he truly felt about her and for the moment she didn't seem like she was going to run. Hermione herself felt the tears sting at her eyes, he seemed so sincere, the look of genuine hurt and pain in his eyes was enough to tell her how sorry he was.
"You might not like where this goes, or what I say next but please listen to me Hermione" Draco raised a hand and gently placed it on her cheek, allowing his thumb to stroke her soft skin up and down repeatedly. "I am terribly sorry for all the hurt and pain I've caused you. I don't expect you to forgive me if you want to continue hating me then that's fine. I just needed to tell you how I feel before I drove myself crazy"
Hermione felt her breath hitch as Draco spun her around and in one fluid movement he dipped her so low that her loose curls were almost touching the dance floor. Her eyes flickered from Draco's eyes to his lips and back, something which did not go unnoticed by Draco.
"I forgive you" Hermione whispered, much to the surprise of Draco. "I've actually forgiven you for quite a while now. As hard as it may be for other people to understand, it's easy for me. I know your childhood wasn't the best and you had to grow up a lot sooner than the rest of us did. Nothing that happened was your fault Draco. You were thrust into a life that you didn't want. I couldn't hold that against you"
Draco shook his head but smiled, "You know Granger, you surprise me everyday"
Hermione smirked, "I do try" She murmured, acutely aware that all eyes were now on them as they remained in their pose. "And Draco?"
"Hmm?"
"Please, call me Hermione"
"As you wish"
Draco grinned before swooping in and capturing Hermione's lips with his own, it was as wonderful as he had imagined. Her lips were so soft and warm, fitting perfectly against his own. He slowly pulled her back upright before entangling his hand in the bottom of her hair, attempting to pull her closer if that was possible. The two remained in their embrace for a while longer all the while their friends and other students stood in shock watching the pair of them, the Hall remained silent as everyone was too in shock to even gossip.
Until over by the corner of the hall a loud shout was heard, "WOO! Go Draco and Granger"
All eyes looked round to find Blaise shrinking into the corner and behind Goyle who was tall enough to shield him from view. The sudden commotion broke Draco and Hermione out of their embrace but still neither looked away from each other.
"Would you like to cross the line with me Hermione?"
"I certainly would Draco"
Hermione grinned and took Draco's hand once more as he led her from the Great Hall to enjoy the rest evening by themselves.