I do not own any of these characters.
A/N: This is my first fanfiction. I'm not too sure about the plot that I have in mind, but if anyone has any ideas, they'd be greatly appreciated. - Min
A soft, cool breeze blew over the grounds of Hogwarts, scattering fallen leaves across the grassy terrain, and into the lake, causing small ripples in the water. The air was crisp with the significance of fall, the evening sky turning from oranges and pinks to purples and blues that slowly faded into the silky blackness of the night sky.
That night was of brilliant substance, the dawning of the stars peeking out from behind the velvety curtain of colors. Beautiful, white and silver floral decorations adorned the pillars leading into the castle's Great Hall and the House Tables had been removed, leaving the area a large dance floor. The walls were covered in sparkly tinsel and sequenced draperies that connected to the huge ceiling whereas leaving the mirrored image of the sky outside uncovered so that the revealing stars twinkled down on the empty tiled floor below and the full moon loomed quietly to the side awaiting it's entrance.
Tonight was Halloween, and as Professor Dumbledore had promised, the whole school was hosting a Formal Halloween Ball instead of the usual feast. All students were allowed to attend and all participants were to dress formally and act civil. Professor Dumbledore had encouraged everyone to 'get to know their opposite houses' better during the ball, but most students knew that would never happen.
At the moment, no one had stepped foot into the Great hall. Everyone was in their dormitories, getting ready for the ball, or they were sitting in their House common rooms, talking amongst themselves. But as this story leads us, we'll find ourselves in the dormitory of Hermione Granger…
"Ginny!" Huffed Hermione as she studied her image in the tall mirror across from her bed.
"What's wrong, 'Mione?" Spoke the red-head sitting on her friends bed, slipping on her light blue high heels to match her equally blue strapless dress.
"Everything! I can't get my hair fixed and my dress just doesn't look right anymore. I don't know if going to this ball is such a good idea." Hermione squealed in an exasperated manner, her usual bossy conduct evaporated in the upcoming atmosphere.
"Oh, come off of it, everything will be fine." Ginny replied shortly as she stood up and joined her friend in the mirror and considered her friends image. "Let me see what you've done to yourself."
Hermione was wearing a silky, lavender colored halter dress that went past her knees in elegant folds that hugged her legs gently and beautifully. It fit on her in all the right curves, leaving her looking older than she was and much more gorgeous than she had ever thought possible. She wore white high heels to match, though she disliked the whole concept of uncomfortable shoes. Her hair was fixed so that it was straighter, not the usual messy mane of curly brown hair. Though, her hair had become manageable after her fifth year. Now, she had it fixed so that it cascaded down her back and over her shoulders in a wavy manner and it was parted slightly to the side. She also had put on a small amount of makeup, mainly consisting of light colored eye shadow and lip gloss.
"Oh…" Ginny whispered, her eyes becoming larger than usual. "Hermione, you look absolutely gorgeous."
"Do you really think so, Ginny?" She turned to her friend hopefully.
"Of course! Wow, I'd give anything to look like you do tonight." Breathed Ginny, still looking at her friends reflection.
"Thanks." Hermione allowed herself to smile at her younger friend. "I'm just so uneasy about all this."
"I know what you mean." Ginny answered.
Hermione slipped away from the full length mirror and sat down on her bed near her trunk. She opened it up and pulled out a small box that she kept all the jewelry she ever owned in. She wasn't a big fan of jewelry, but she had a few possessions that had been given to her over the years.
Opening the box carefully, she peered inside of it and prodded at the contents inside. There was a pearl necklace that glowed oddly in the dim light of the room, several silver bracelets, a golden bracelet, a pair of simple, silver hoop earrings, and a silver locket in the shape of a rose. The locket had been given to her by Ginny the previous year and she had placed a picture of Harry and Ginny together in there on one side, and on the other she put a picture of Ron. They were the closest people she had to friends but she was grateful to have such friends as them.
Smiling to herself, Hermione took out the locket and put it around her neck, slipped on the silver bracelets, then she took out the hoop earrings and put them on. The older girl replaced the box into her trunk and stood up again, smoothing out her dress.
"I can't believe you talked me into this, Ginny." Hermione laughed, beginning to feel nervous.
"I know. I was surprised I talked you into this too, but I'm glad I did. You'll have loads of fun." Ginny said, putting on some jewelry also and then applied a bit more lip gloss.
"I hope so. Thanks, Ginny."
"No problem."
"Hermione, I'm going to head on down already, I'll see you at the ball!" Ginny said excitedly after a moment then slipped out of the room before the older girl could respond.
After a few minutes, Hermione got her nerve up and decided to go down to the common room. Slipping quietly out of her dormitory with her dress skirt billowing majestically around her bare legs, she made her way down the hall and to the staircase that would be her entrance to anyone else that may be there still. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes before taking her first few steps down the stairs. After a few moments, she re-opened her eyes to survey the room around her and she felt her stomach give a not so promising lurch when she saw all eyes on her.
The sixth year girl smiled timidly at the occupants of the room before descending the rest of the way down the stairs. A few guys that had been goggling at her turned away sheepishly and she walked forward a bit, looking around for anyone that might seem familiar. Hermione then spotted a messy raven haired boy standing near the fireplace with his back turned to her and a fiery red haired boy, clearly sticking him out as Ginny's brother who was waving his arms in the air clearly trying to get a point across as Harry and Ron were engulfed in a conversation that they deemed serious.
Hermione gulped quietly and began walking to the fireplace towards her two best friends. As she passed the numerous occupants of the room, they stared at her and she felt her face flush slightly.
When she moved her way over to the two boys, she caught part of their conversation.
"No, that's not right Ron--"
"Blimey, Harry, it's fine. Hermione wont mind… I know I wont."
"What makes you think that?" The dark haired boy inquired.
"Well, she's a girl--"
"Of course she is! Ron, where've you been mate?" Harry cut in.
"Here!" Ron cried indifferently.
Hermione decided to put in her two knuts worth. "Obviously not Ronald."
Ron looked over Harry's shoulder and his jaw dropped remarkably low. Harry stiffened slightly at first, then curiosity got the better of him from his friends expression and he turned around to face Hermione. His eyes became huge and his mouth did the same number as Ron's.
"Well, hello to you too." Hermione huffed, deciding not to press them about what they were talking about.
"Her-Hermione?" Ron sputtered and blinked furiously.
"What?" Hermione smiled sweetly at him, knowing what he was getting at.
"You look wonderful, Hermione." Harry told her with a smile playing along his lips.
"Thank you, Harry. You guys look great too." She said, noting the black tuxedoes they'd adorned, wearing white shirts under them with black ties, then the girl swatted at Ron who was still looking shocked. "Honestly, Ron. It's not like you haven't seen me dressed up before. Remember the Yule Ball?"
He nodded stupidly and Hermione had to laugh at him. She knew that Ron had certain feelings for her, and she did for him, but she wasn't ready to let her feelings get the better of her. She still had a whole career in front of her to plan, and she didn't want her emotions to get in the way. Hermione just didn't find that there would ever be any time in her schedule for a boyfriend. Harry interrupted her thoughts by saying, "Well you guys, I think it's time to head out to the ball." He made a face and made Hermione smile wickedly at him.
"It won't be that bad, Harry. Besides, Ginny will be there." She gave him a cheeky smile, then wove an arm around one of Ron's and Harry's and the trio trotted out of the common room, Ron mumbling something about 'that's my sister you're talking about.'
They had decided to take a longer route to the Great Hall as their nerves got the better of them. Clearly, they were all hesitant to go and Ron was so panicky he began babbling incoherently.
"Ron, it'll be fine." Harry patted the other boys back slightly in a way that men deemed comforting.
"Yeah, maybe for you." He choked out, turning his head left and right.
"How about this, Ron." Hermione piped up, hoping to calm him down. "When the dancing starts, I'll be your first dance partner."
Ron looked at her in a disbelieving way and his face turned an interesting shade of red as he smiled and nodded.
"Great, now that that's settled, we can act our age now." The brown haired girl said, bouncing lightly as she walked and causing her hair to wave back and forth.
"What!" Harry cried out as if he took a painful stab to his ego. "You can't be serious? Since when have we never acted our age?"
"Since I met you." She replied shortly.
"Oh, well, if that's the case," Harry said pointedly, then ran up behind Hermione, his arms encircling around her waist, "I'll just have to be more childish around you to annoy you!"
The girl let out a loud shriek as she was lifted up into the air and swung in a circle. "Harry, let me down this instant!"
Ron cackled evilly and Harry shouted something that was inaudible to her because of her own shriek echoing in her ears. The carrier of the girl swung her around a few more times, then walked over to his other companion who held his arms outstretched in front of him and Harry slid one of his arms under her legs and hoisted her up in the bridal carrying way before dumping her into the other boys arms.
"There's your date, Ron."
"Let me down!" She wriggled in his hold. "If you don't, I'll hex you all the way to next week!"
"Oh no, Ron. You better watch it. She's feeling feisty tonight." Harry winked at her and ran off down the hall, laughing at her continued threats.
"HARRY! You're going to pay for saying that!" She shouted, holding her fist up in the air at his retreating back and accidentally hit Ron on the head. "Oops, sorry Ronald."
"S'fine, 'Mione." He grinned cheekily at her. "Just, now you owe me."
Hermione huffed again and jumped out of Ron's grasp, despite his struggle to keep holding onto her. "I don't owe you. It's you that owe me."
Ron was about to respond when they turned a corner and the Great Hall stood in front of them, students littering the dance floor and the decorations glittering beautifully in the soft candle light. The tapestries billowed from the movement in the room and the gusty fall wind that entered from the open doors that led outside. Everything was all glittery and billowy and shiny and… things along that genre.
"Oh my…" Hermione exclaimed quietly to herself.
The hall had been filled with students who all looked unfamiliar in their dress clothes instead of robes. Hermione felt butterflies form in her stomach. She'd never been so nervous in her life, even though she'd had all sorts of tests and obstacles to do. She'd never been to good with dealing with guys, unless they were Harry or Ron. Hermione's mind wondered until a voice suddenly sounded above the chatter of the students.
"Welcome, students, to the formal Halloween Ball. I'm pleased to see that so many of you have shown up for this festivity!" Hermione turned to see Professor Dumbledore speaking on a platform, wearing a set of wizard dress robes the color of the night sky. "It is my pleasure to hold such an event tonight on such a perfect evening. The night is young and of course, Halloween is a holiday we all love to celebrate. So now, let us enjoy the night with music from the Weird Sisters, whom have so generously offered their presence to us tonight." There was loud applause in which Dumbledore paused to speak then continued when it quieted down. " So now, let us welcome, the Weird Sisters!"
The band entered the hall from behind a curtain and was greeted with another bout of loud applause and cheering. They set up their instruments on the platform before they struck up a medium tune in which Professor Dumbledore shouted, "And now, let us dance!" Then he grabbed a rather startled Professor McGonagall by an arm and hurried her to the dance floor.
Hermione watched with amusement as most students made their way around the hall unsure of themselves. Part of the group was separated, making the whole scene comical. The Slytherin's were all grouped up on the right side of the room, a few Ravenclaw's and Hufflepuff's mixed in. The other majority was huddled on the other side of the hall, whereas the professors were dancing about in the center.
The girl stared up at the ceiling as she walked forward, dragging Ron with her, and the full moon now in clear view amongst the stars. Hermione's breathe caught in her throat as she marveled at what a wonderful night it was. She'd never seen the sky look so clear and sparkly. Maybe she would have fun that night, as Ginny as told her she would.
She glanced to her right, seeing Ron looking at her. When he saw her eyes dart to his, he blushed and turned his head to the side, muttering something that Hermione couldn't hear. She had to hide her smile, knowing what Ron was like during events like this.
"Let's dance, Ron."
Ron nodded and led her out to the dance floor where a waltzing Dumbledore and McGonagall were, though he looked as if Hermione made a sudden fast movement, he would bolt right out of hall, leaving her in the dust.
Hermione had to guide him into the dancing positions, placing his left hand on her slender hip and then took his other hand in her own, entwining her fingers with his. She smiled at him encouragingly and he smiled nervously down at her in return as she placed her left hand on his shoulder.
"You're not much of a dancer, are you Ron?" She teased him.
"No, not really." He told her truthfully, his ears turning red beneath his shaggy-like hair.
Hermione laughed halfheartedly at him, and stared up into his sparkling blue eyes, his own gaze never faltering. He looked so determined and anxious, and suddenly, Hermione felt the same way.
Hermione sidestepped and Ron followed. She then turned to the right, him following so that they moved about in a slow circle, hand in hand. The Weird Sisters had long since struck up a slower tune, one that matched their dancing style perfectly. Ron made sure not to step on her feet, and Hermione couldn't keep a smile off of her face.
She didn't know how long she danced with him, their eyes locked onto each other. She wasn't even sure if she wanted the moment to end. She'd never imagined she'd feel that way, dancing with Ron, but now that the chance had came and she took the opportunity, she felt as if they were meant for each other.
Hermione was lost in her thoughts when suddenly, Ron became daring and took her into a half spin, then dipped her down so that he held her up with an arm encircled around her waist, while he kept hold of her other hand. The girl let out a gasp of surprise at the sudden movement, her hair swaying over her shoulders and nearly to the floor.
"R-Ron?" Hermione questioned the look on his face.
Without an answer from him, he lent over hesitantly as if he wasn't too sure of what he was doing. Deciding on his decision unknown to his dance partner, he then pulled her up a bit so that in his bent position so that her face and his face came closer and closer…
"WEASLEY KING!"
Ron, startled by the sudden shout, let go of Hermione by accident and she fell with a loud thump onto the tiled floor.
Draco was walking towards them, a grin on his face as he surveyed the scene he'd caused. "I see that Granger and Weasel feet are having, er, fun."
Hermione stood up with Ron's help, her bum hurting remarkably and her head spinning as Ron mumbled he was sorry over and over again. She looked over at Draco, who looked like he'd spent an hour putting gel in his hair.
"We were having fun until you interrupted." Hermione spat at him.
"Did I ruin something?" The platinum haired by sneered at her and Hermione glared at him, her eyes locked onto his own story grey ones.
"Go away, ferret face." Ron told him irritably, his ears a bright shade of red.
"I'll go away when I feel like it, Weasley King." He drawled as his two cronies, Crabbe and Goyle came up behind him.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" The brown haired girls words were filled with anger and irritation.
"I just wanted to have some fun… You know, annoy some first years, piss off some sixth years. The usual." He told her in the same tone as before while looking down at his perfectly manicured nails.
"You're not wanted here, Malfoy." Hermione notified him.
"Stupid Mudblood. You should have more manners." He drawled once more and Hermione scrunched up her nose in annoyance.
"Leave me alone, Malfoy. If you don't, you'll regret it." She hissed at him.
"What are you going to do to me? You clearly don't have your wand with you." He said, eyeing her just in case while his groupies cracked their knuckles in a way they thought was menacing.
"Humph!" Hermione glared at him again, then before Draco was aware, she brought the back of her hand to the side of his face.
SMACK.
She watched triumphantly as he staggered back from her, holding his palm to the side of his face. "Granger, you'll pay for that."
Hermione narrowed her eyes as he pulled his wand out from under his tuxedo. (A/N: Yes, I realized that what they are wearing isn't what a witch or wizard would wear, but I decided to go for the formal ball wear, I.e. Tuxedo's and dresses. Of course, the professors are wearing dress robes because.. I just can't picture Dumbledore in a tuxedo, can you?) He aimed the point of his wand at Hermione and smirked.
"You wouldn't dare." She countered.
"I would." He replied simply.
Ron, who'd been looking around for, no doubt, Harry, had just noticed the wand pointed at his dance partner and let out an angry grunt and launched himself forward towards Malfoy. Crabbe got in his way though, and Ron slammed head first into his chest, causing him to stagger back. Crabbe then grabbed him by the front of his tux and jerked him to the side while Ron aimed a well judged fist into his face.
Malfoy, however, was still holding his wand at Hermione. The brown haired girl looked around. For once, she knew she'd have to run because she didn't have any other way to protect herself from magic. She'd left her wand up in her room, thinking she wouldn't need it; but she had been dearly mistaken. She couldn't just leave Ron though.
Goyle had joined the brawl between Ron and Crabbe, though it seemed like Ron was getting his own share of well aimed punches and kicks. Hermione didn't have time to watch him though as Draco took a few steps towards her, his infamous sneer plastered onto his face.
Without thinking any further, Hermione saw an opening through a gap of students to her left. Her visible path of escaped consisted of running through the students, out the double doors, and out onto the grounds of Hogwarts. Deciding that she wouldn't wait any longer, she glanced at the point of Draco's wand, then dashed to the right of him. She wound herself around the startled students, the bottom of her dress whipping around her legs.
Looking back, she saw Malfoy pursuing her through the crowd, obvious displeasure etched into his face. Hermione cursed quietly under her breath. She should have known Malfoy wouldn't let her get away with smacking him; now she was in trouble.
She ran as fast as she dared in her high heels, hoping she wouldn't trip. Running past the double doors, the girl found herself surrounded by the soft darkness of that October night. Turning abruptly, she moved along the side of the castle in the direction of the lake. The moon cast off a soft, eerie light that allowed her to see her way across the grounds.
Of course, Hermione knew Draco was following her, and she affirmed her theory when she saw a jet of light flash by her, only inches from her shoulder. She felt a slight jolt of panic in her stomach at the thought that she couldn't defend herself against him, but she ran until she was at the lake, Malfoy shooting numerous spells at her but missing every time. She was out of breathe now, and she turned around to face Malfoy as he skidded to a stop a few yards away.
"Stop it, Malfoy." She was startled to hear the fear in her own voice.
"Why, Granger? I finally have a chance to get you back for all those times you got me." He scoffed.
"You're pathetic." She glowered at him.
"No, you're pathetic, you Mudblood."
"Stuff it, ferret face."
Draco laughed quietly to himself, then aimed his wand more steadily. "You're going to regret ever stepping foot into this school, Granger."
Hermione watched at he took another step forwards then flourished his wand in a specific pattern. Then, he opened his mouth to say the incantation and was halfway through when all of a sudden, a large barn owl dove down near him from a tree behind Hermione, causing his words to become jumbled together in an odd sort of gibberish as his arms flailed to get the owl away.
A bright, golden light erupted from the tip of his wand and shot towards Hermione. She shrieked and tried to dodge but it was too fast for her. It caught her in the chest, knocking her back onto the springy grass near the lake and blinding her with white luminosity. The girls head spun in a nauseated way until everything faded back to the darker vista around her. Her was blurry and she could make out the profile of Malfoy while he watched her open mouthed and then, before she knew what was happening, she felt a tug on her body and her world went black.