Dani leaned in towards me, her voice filled with excitement. "Hermione will be joining us in just a moment," she whispered, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "And let me tell you, she looks absolutely gorgeous!" Her words were accompanied by a playful wink, leaving me intrigued.
With a nod and a smile, I watched as Dani and Mattheo walked away, their laughter mingling with the lively ambiance of the gathering. Enzo, standing beside me, couldn't contain his amazement and blurted out in a loud whisper, "Wow... she wasn't wrong."
Curiosity sparked within me, and I turned my attention towards the grand staircase, where Hermione was about to make her entrance. As she descended the steps, my mouth reflexively dropped open in awe, but I quickly caught myself and closed it, not wanting to appear too obvious. Dani's description had not been an exaggeration—Hermione truly looked breathtaking.
A faint blush graced Hermione's cheeks, undoubtedly aware of the attention she was receiving from everyone around her. Yet, she seemed unaffected by the stares, maintaining her composure with grace. Her smile radiated confidence and contentment. Our eyes met, and I couldn't help but be captivated by her presence. Stepping forward, I positioned myself at the bottom of the stairs, eager to greet her.
"Well, Granger," I began, attempting to sound nonchalant, "you really know how to get dressed up." The words escaped my lips, carrying a hint of admiration and playfulness.
Hermione's smile widened, and she responded, her voice tinged with warmth, "Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself."
The corners of my lips curled into a slight smile, a subtle acknowledgement of her compliment. In a gesture of invitation, I extended my arm toward her. "Ready?" I asked, my voice gentle and inviting.
Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she nodded, gracefully looping her arm through mine. "Ready," she affirmed, her voice filled with a blend of excitement and assurance.
As we walked towards the grand entrance of the Great Hall, anticipation hung in the air, thick with excitement and a touch of nervousness. The champions gracefully took place in the center of the room, their elegant movements commanding attention and setting the tone for the evening. The enchanting melodies of the orchestra floated through the room, casting a spell of enchantment upon the gathering.
I turned my gaze towards Hermione, a glimmer of admiration shining in my eyes. With a gentle yet bold gesture, I extended my hand towards her, extending an invitation to join me in the dance. A smile played at the corners of her lips as she nodded, her eyes sparkling with a mix of anticipation.
As her delicate hand interlaced with mine, I couldn't help but notice the stark contrast in size, emphasizing her delicate nature against my larger frame. The touch of her hand ignited a subtle electricity, sending a tingling sensation up my arm. With a tender touch, she placed her other hand on my shoulder, while I reciprocated by securing my hand around her waist, drawing her closer to me.
I could sense the waves of nervousness illuminating from Hermione, heightened by the awareness of Ron Weasley's unwavering eyes on us. It seemed his eyes were fixated on our every move since the moment we stepped foot into the Great Hall.
In an attempt to reassure her, I leaned in and whispered softly, "Hey." The sound of my voice seemed to draw her attention, and she raised her eyes to meet mine. Time seemed to stand still as we studied each other. With an unspoken understanding, I reassured her, "It's okay."
She nodded and encouraged by her response, I gently pulled her closer, the warmth of our bodies uniting as we slowly moved in perfect harmony with the music. In that moment, the world faded away, and it was just Hermione and me.
Throughout the night, the situation unfolded exactly as such: it was just her and me. We swayed gracefully to the rhythm of slow melodies and twirled energetically to the beat of fast ones. We shared laughs and smiles, which I am sure was a shock to everyone to see that I was capable of such emotion. In that time, the barriers of identity and dissimilarities dissolved, leaving only the two of us, Hermione and me, completely immersed in each other's presence.
Hermione
"I'm going to grab a drink," Draco whispered in my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.
With a nod, I replied, "Yes, please. Thank you."
Draco acknowledged my response and gracefully made his way towards the drinks table. As soon as he disappeared into the crowd, a wide grin spread across my face, fueled by the exhilaration of this extraordinary night. Who would have ever imagined that I could enjoy myself in the company of Draco Malfoy?
Eager to share this newfound excitement, I approached a nearby table where Ron and Harry sat, their expressions betraying a lackluster experience. Taking a seat among them, I spoke up, "Draco is getting us drinks. Would you both like to join us?"
Ron scowled. "Join you and Malfoy? No. I think I'll pass."
Harry looked over at him, "Ron."
The smile on my face faded, and I could feel the happiness drain from my body. "You're becoming friends with the enemy, Mione." Ron continued.
I shake my head, frustration building up in me, "Seriously, Ron? You've got to be joking."
"Why don't you run off to your new little boyfriend?"
A surge of disbelief coursed through every fiber of my being, causing me to instinctively rise from my seat. The once jubilant mood that I had was now shattered, replaced by a heavy sense of disappointment and hurt. As I took a few steps away, my intention to distance myself from the painful scene unfolding before me, I couldn't resist the compelling urge to glance back at Ron and Harry one last time.
In that fleeting moment, Harry silently mouthed the words "I'm sorry," his remorse evident on his face. Ron, on the other hand, crossed his arms defiantly and shook his head in a gesture of disapproval and disbelief. Their reactions only deepened the wounds already inflicted upon my heart.
With a defeated shake of my head, I continued my retreat, my footsteps leading me towards the nearby staircase. The tears welled up in my eyes, threatening to spill over and betray the strength I was trying so hard to maintain. Desperate to prevent the emotions from overwhelming me, I blinked rapidly, but the tears persisted, refusing to be held back. The contrast of Ron's current behavior with his usual treatment of me intensified my pain. Everything we had built seemed to be crumbling away.
As tears cascaded down my cheeks, I found solace on the cold steps. I sat down and impulsively tore off my heels. The sound of footsteps interrupted my solitude, and I glanced up, finding Draco kneeling before me, a concerned expression etched upon his face. He placed the drinks he had been carrying on the step beside me and inquired with genuine worry, "Hey, what's wrong?"
I shook my head, the tears still streaming down my face. Draco's gentle hands cupped my cheeks, guiding my gaze to meet his concerned eyes. He studied my tear-streaked face, his voice filled with genuine concern as he asked, "Who did this to you, Hermione?"
His voice, when he said my name, resonated deep within me, sending shivers down my spine. Granger was a name I had grown accustomed to hearing from him, always accompanied by a tone of disdain or mockery. But this time, he said Hermione, and is was elegant in the way he spoke it.
Caught off guard by the unexpected tenderness in his voice, my heart skipped a beat, momentarily overwhelmed by a rush of emotions. "I..." I stammered, unable to find the right words to respond. "Don't worry about it, Malfoy," I finally managed to utter, though the tremor in my voice betrayed my true feelings.
He regarded me with a mixture of concern and determination, his gaze unwavering. "No," he shook his head. "My date is currently crying on the staircase. I am going to worry about it."
Confusion clouded my thoughts. Why would he care about the tears of someone else when we had been at odds for so long? In a whisper, barely audible, I confessed my bewilderment. "I thought you hated me..."
With a tenderness I had never witnessed before, Draco reached out and brushed away the tears that stained my cheeks, his touch gentle and comforting. As his icy blue eyes locked with mine, a new realization dawned upon me. How had I never noticed the way his eyes were that blue? It held a mesmerizing power that drew me in, leaving me unable to look away.
His voice, soft but resolute, broke the silence. "I never hated you, Granger," he admitted, a faint smile gracing his lips. It was a revelation that defied everything I had come to believe about him. "Come on," he said, placing his hands on my arms to help me up, his touch warm against my skin. Leaning down, he retrieved my discarded heels and extended his arm towards me. "I'll walk you back to your room."
My heart raced as I reached out, grasping his arm. The fluttering sensation in my chest intensified. As we began to walk together, the world around me faded into insignificance, leaving only Draco's presence and the undeniable connection that seemed to grow stronger with each step.
In that moment, I couldn't deny the truth any longer. I was falling, falling for Draco Malfoy, and the realization both terrified and thrilled me at the same time.