Pride and Prejudice

Summary: When rich single gentlemen Draco Malfoy and Ronald Weasley come to Hogwarts, the girls have high hopes. But pride, prejudice, and misunderstandings all combine to complicate their relationships and to make happiness difficult.

A/N: The plot was taken from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. JK Rowling owns the characters.

Caveat: Draco Malfoy and Ronald Weasley are best friends and do not attend Hogwarts. This D/HR, slight H/HR and RW/LB, Everyone is pretty much out of character.

Chapter One: New Students

It was the last schedule visit to Hogsmeade for Hogwarts students before the Yule Ball. Hermione, Lavender and Parvati are now at Gladrags Wizardwear trying to find favorable attire for the occasion.

"I think the shell pink silk really suits you Lavender," said Parvati as she held up the piece of fabric to her friend.

"Yes, yes, I think it does," Lavender examined herself in the mirror.

"The periwinkle blue does seem very becoming on you," Parvati turned to notice Hermione admiring the dress robe she picked out.

"Several young ladies have bought new dress robes for the Yule Ball," the storekeeper said as he held out a roll of fabric, "But none will be more lavish than this muslin."

"Hasn't this style been very much worn?" Parvati noticed.

"Mine is Parvati," Hermione pointed to the ad on the wall; "It's been worn for three years."

"Umm, a fashion decree, muslin this season, miss," the shopkeeper chuckled nervously.

"Then it should be good enough for us, shouldn't it Lavender?" Hermione said, her tone, obvious that she was getting tired of shopping.

"Yes," Lavender agreed.

"Then pink for Lavender and blue for Hermione," Parvati told the shopkeeper.

"I know exactly the effect of the robe," Hermione announced with a dramatic flourish, "I shall look very worldly."

"How shall I look?" asked Lavender.

"Adorable, as always."

Suddenly, there was a loud rustling of noise coming from outside. From the window, they observed six horses galloping onto the street drawing a large carriage behind them. The carriage stopped across the street from the dress shop.

"Merlin, what a commotion!" Parvati exclaimed as they all headed toward the window, "Just look at that carriage, and those exquisite young men!"

They watched as a tall blonde haired man stepped out of the vehicle.

"Have you heard any of our fellow students say they were expecting any visitors?" Parvati inquired, nosy as ever.

"No," Lavender replied, "Who do you suppose would be entertaining people with fashion like these?"

"Mr. Biggs, could you please send your elf and find out if they will be attending Hogwarts please? Slyly of course," Parvati asked the shopkeeper.

"Yes, Hausworth would tell us," the shopkeeper agreed, also seeing the opportunity for new customers. The elf nodded and dashed out the door.

"Look, here comes Padma, as if something were after her," Hermione pointed to a figure running towards them. She opened the door for her, "My, what haste, you're all out of breath," said Hermione.

"I spotted you girls from the outside," Padma gasped and ran up to her sister, "My dear! Such news! Did you see them?"

"Of course we saw them," Parvati responded, "Who are they sister?"

"They are the new exchange students from Durmstrang. The name is Weasley, Ron Weasley."

"Is the young woman next to him his girlfriend?" Lavender asked.

"No dear," Padma replied, "That's the pleasantest part of it. She's his sister."

"She's his sister, Mione," Lavender repeated.

"Who is the other gentleman Padma?" asked Hermione.

"Oh I don't know," she answered, "Some friend I suppose. Let me tell you all about Ronald Weasley. He's very rich."

"Rich and single," Parvati drooled at the thought, "That's the most heartening piece of news since the battle of Waterloo."

The bell on the door rang as the elf walked in to inform Mr. Biggs.

"You could see how handsome and elegant he is!" Parvati commented, still admiring the view.

"Excuse me, ladies," the shopkeeper interrupted, "The second gentleman is Mr. Draco Malfoy. The carriages and the horses are his."

"Two carriages and one, two, three, four, five, six livered servant elves," Hermione counted, "My word, this Draco Malfoy must also be rich."

"I wonder if he's attached," Parvati thought aloud.

The bell on the door rang again, two more Hogwarts students, Susan Bones and Hannah Abbot strolled into the store.

"Good day everyone," Hannah greeted, "I just had to stop by and tell you the news."

"You don't mean about the new exchange students from Durmstrang," Parvati stated with an air of superiority in her voice.

"Yes," Hannah frowned, "Oh, you heard about it already?"

"Yes, but who is this Draco Malfoy?" Parvati inquired again.

"He's Ronald Weasley's friend. They're inseparable," Hannah added, "His family is one of the wealthiest, oldest pureblood lines in the wizarding world."

"Oh, yes, Malfoy," Parvati repeated, "Is that all you know about him?"

"Wha-oh," Hannah realized with a smirk, "You mean is he attached to anyone? No dear, no, he's single, and he's even richer than Ronald Weasley."

"Isn't it fortunate to have two eligible young men coming into Hogwarts," Parvati noted, "Perhaps anyone of us will get lucky and fall in love."

Hermione, Lavender and Susan were amused as they watched this exchange between their rival friends. Noticing the time, the girls quickly chose their outfits and made their purchases. Having already spent most of their day in the shop, they decided to retreat back to Hogwarts.

Back in the common room, everyone was talking about Hogwarts new arrivals. Because Ginny, Ron and Draco are exchange students, Dumbledore allowed them to the choice of their dorms. They decided to stay with the Slytherins after Viktor Krum had recommended them of their hospitality from his previous experience.

Weeks have passed, and aside from meals, none of the other houses had much interaction with the exchange students. Most of the girls in the meantime waited in anticipation for the dance when they can finally see the two gentlemen in a more socialized setting. Worried that Ron and Draco may get the wrong impression, the girls decided to go without dates, promising their suitors a dance.

Hermione, being the most sensible one out of her group, smiles inwardly as she realized how silly her friends had behaved this week. She spent most of her time concentrated on her studies in the library whenever they brought up the subject of dance in conversation.

Finally, on the night of the Yule Ball, the girls, who had taken up the entire day to prepare for the evening, were all dressed up and ready. Admiring their appearances one last time in the mirror, they made their way to the Great Hall.

I know it is short, but please Review!