Chapter 31:

Matchmaking

Seated at one of the common room tables, Jessa desperately tried to make a dent in the mountain of homework the professors had assigned when she heard someone sit across from her. Sparing only a glance, she greeted her friend.

"Hi Blaise."

"Hello. So guess what?"

"I'm so not in the mood right now," she snapped back, before immediately looking up at him. Swallowing hard, she sat back, adjusting her glasses. "I'm sorry, Blaise. I'm just – between Harry and classes, especially starting the new ones this year – it's just a lot."

"It's fine, I understand. Now, for the news: while you were holed up in here, they've just announced that on Christmas Eve, Hogwarts will be hosting the Yule Ball, in line with Tournament tradition. Unfortunately, first through third years aren't permitted to attend, unless asked by someone older."

Jessa scowled at him further. "So what was the point of telling me then?"

"Because, Potter, I do believe our dear friend will ask you," he teased.

"Who…Draco? Zabini, we're just friends. Flying partners. Besides, why would he ask me when he could ask any of the others usually clamouring for his attention?"

"Whatever you say. I will say this to you, though: if he ends up being too much of a stubborn git to ask you, then I will, if you really want to go."

"Really? You'd – you would do that for me?"

Blaise nodded, her smile broadening, before falling again.

"What is it now?"

"I – I wouldn't have anything to wear. And I can't go to Hogsmeade to pick something up either."

"I'm sure Mrs. Malfoy would help you," he mused.

"No! I – I couldn't ask that of her."

"You could. She would help you, regardless of what her husband would think." Taking stock of her expression, Blaise leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Why won't you let others help you?"

"Because that's just – that's how it's always been. Harry and I – we've always kind of just had to look out for ourselves. And let's face it – neither of us know the first thing about dressing up for a fancy dance."

"Yeah, no kidding," Malfoy muttered as he elegantly, if lazily, sat down in one of the empty chairs. Blaise shot her a knowing look, but she just rolled her eyes.

"Besides how uncaring your relatives are, what were you talking about?"

"The Yule Ball," Blaise replied lazily, but Draco just scowled.

"Such a stupid idea to foster "inter-school relationships". What nonsense."

"I'm obviously not getting anything else done tonight. I'm going to turn in. See you tomorrow," she said quietly, gathering her supplies and heading towards the girls' dormitories.

The minute she was out of sight and earshot, Zabini rounded on his friend. "What the hell is wrong with you, mate?" he asked sharply.

"Me? What are you talking about?"

"Declaring the Yule Ball a 'stupid idea'? Just because you and I have had formal events shoved down our throats all our lives doesn't mean everyone has. Besides, wouldn't it be nice to go with someone?"

"If this is your way of asking me to the Yule Ball, the answer's no, Zabini."

He rolled his eyes. "Not me. Jessa."

"What? We're just friends."

"Sure. Everyone can see you two are close. You don't exactly try to hide it. I happen to know you like her more, though. Can't hide that from me, mate."

Draco's gaze cut to him sharply.

"Just ask her already."

"And if she says no."

"Mate, I doubt she will. I strongly suspect she likes you, too."

Two nights later, Jessa plopped down next to him on one of the common room couches. She was clearly struggling under the increased demand of classes – and worrying about her heroic brother – and looked dreadful. Not that he would ever say that to her.

"Hi, Draco."

"Hello."

"Why do the professors hate us so much?"

Draco snorted, wrapping his arm loosely around her shoulders, giving her time to tell him 'no'. Instead, much to his surprise, she leaned her head against his shoulder.

Briefly, he glanced around, but luckily, as of yet, no one was paying them much mind. Draco stared down at his friend for a moment. She really was beautiful. Eyes scanning the common room once more, he picked his quill back up to finish the notes he'd been working on when she joined him.

Finishing the last paragraph, he noticed how her breathing had evened out. She had fallen asleep against him. Then he frowned. Boys weren't allowed into the girls' dormitories…but he could bring her into his.

Gently moving out from beneath her, careful not to wake his sleeping friend, he lifted her easily and carried her to his own bed. He then stripped the robe, tie, and shoes from her body, hoping to make her more comfortable. As trained, he then folded them and placed them on a nearby stool, making sure her glasses were on top for easy access.

After changing and washing up, he quietly closed the curtains around the bed and slid onto the opposite side of the bed, sleep soon claiming him as well.

Jessa woke slowly, blinking against the haziness of the room. Then she realized there was someone next to her.

She surged back, fumbling for solid footing and her glasses.

"Jessa. Jessa! It's just me. It's Draco," a voice said from across the bed. A hand came near, but it was only to hand over her glasses.

"You alright?"

"Where…what…?"

"You fell asleep against me in the common room last night. I brought you here, so that you would be more comfortable. That's all. I'm sorry if I scared you."

He could visibly see the relief that went through her. She sat down on his bed, adjusting her now-messy hair. He watched her for a moment, before sighing slightly and coming around to "her" side of the bed. Gently, he took her hand in his and pulled her to her feet, leaning her away from his bed and only stopping when his back was about an inch from the wall.

"Jessa, look at me," he said, releasing one of her hands and bringing his fingers under her chin, tilting it upward so that her eyes met his. Draco now saw that she was nervous and that some of the fear from before still lingered. He knew that at that moment, he was more nervous than he had ever been before in his life. But he also knew that as a Malfoy, he had to be the leader.

So quickly, before he could change his mind, he lowered his head and kissed her.

Jessa's eyes widened in surprise as Draco's lips touched hers. But strangely enough, she didn't want it to end.

Draco pulled away a moment later and the two just stared at each other as he straightened. Jessa touched her lips numbly, still unsure of what had just happened.

"Jessa Potter, will you be my girlfriend?" he asked her, watching her anxiously as she bit her lip nervously.

"Does this answer your question?" She asked quietly before stepping forward and onto her tip-toes, pressing her lips against his.

"Malf – whoa!" someone interrupted from the doorway, causing Jessa to pull away quickly, a deep blush spreading across her cheeks as she looked down at her feet.

"Well – looks like I was right after all."

"Shut up, Zabini," the new couple muttered simultaneously, but there was no heat in their voices.

"I'm going to assume you don't want me telling your brother about this?"

Her brown eyes widened. "Please no. Not yet."

"Given the Hogwarts gossip train, it may be better not to tell anyone just yet," Malfoy pointed out.

Blaise just nodded, moving to his bed to grab his cloak. "I'll just – er – leave then." Then, unable to help himself, he called out one more, "told you so" over his shoulder.

They flushed, rolling their eyes.

Slowly, he tipped her head upward again, thinking that if his father were to find out what he was doing and how "soft" he was acting, (and to a half–blood, no less,) he would receive a huge lecture from Lucius on not disgracing the family name.

But as his hand made its way into her tangled red hair, she put her right hand on his chest, stopping him.

"Draco, please…promise me that we won't go too far too quickly," she said, her face now the same shade as her hair, but her apprehensiveness showed through.

Draco hesitated for a moment, before nodding slowly, knowing what he was giving up and not really caring for once.

"I understand," he said…and for once, he truly did.

The two were silent for a minute, grey eyes meeting green ones before Jessa realized something.

"So does this mean that we're going to the Yule Ball together?" she asked hopefully. When he nodded, she squealed, (something she never did) but was soon cut off by Draco's lips meeting hers again.

And this time, she didn't dare pull away.