Hi, before we start, super sorry for being away for what feels like forever! I was just taking a break working on another story ;) Enjoy!
"Draco, get in here and tell your girlfriend to get dressed!" Whined Ginny from the dorm I shared with Draco. I buried my bright red face in the sheets. At the last moment before the ball, I'd decided that I looked horrible in my beautiful dress and that I wasn't going. But Ginny wouldn't have it. She marched into the bathroom where Draco was getting dressed, hitching up her baggy trousers.
"What is it?" I heard Draco ask irritably. Ginny explained huffily and in came Draco, looking positively drool-worthy in a tight-fitting pair of trousers and a waistcoat that fitted his body perfectly. He smirked a little at my expression, then tugged away the bed sheets from my shining red face affectionately.
"Come on, 'Mione, you know that in anything you wear you'll look beautiful," said Draco firmly. "Don't be stupid." I sniffed and nodded, and gingerly slipped out of the bed and bundled up my dress, scurrying into the bathroom behind him, head buried low against my chest.
I tied back my hair, using some of the magical hairspray that I still had from the Yule Ball - which worked a literal charm, by the way - into a perfect bun, and attached a few glittering silver hairclips that almost blinded me to look at in the mirror. Then I slipped into the dress I'd fallen in love with nearly a week ago now.
Draco entered at that moment and spun me around in my dress. I giggled and fell into his arms. "What do you think?" I asked anxiously, slipping silver bracelets over my thin wrists. Draco took my hands in his and smiled, kissing my forehead.
"You look beautiful," he said softly. "Come on. Let's go down." I slipped my fingers through his and we bounded radiantly downstairs with Ginny and Luna hurrying along behind us, talking excitedly, looking beautiful themselves. When she wore makeup, Luna looked completely different, and several years older.
The great hall was packed when we entered, but when all heads turned to look at Draco and myself walk between couples, I felt my cheeks glow pink, and wondered when the whole ordeal would finish. But with a squeeze from Draco's hand I felt confidence return a little, and looked up and smiled at my friends, who had huge, surprised smiles on their faces.
The dance started quickly, and I soon realised that there was no place I'd rather be than with Draco - the boy I loved. He was a brilliant dancer, and we were pretty much made for each other on the dance floor. He didn't once step on my feet and pulled me gently around the floor in circles as the soft, slow music played far away.
The music sped up in the next few songs, and by the time we took a break my cheeks were flushed pink from being lifted up and swung around and spun around so much. Draco and I found a table with Ginny and Luna and we ate steadily through deliciously decorated food, while Luna animatedly told us exactly how Ginny had stepped on her foot and almost tripped her up into the music stands.
My cheeks were aching once we got back onto the dance floor; I hadn't stopped smiling since I'd entered the hall. I danced with Ginny, and Luna - and then I was back with Draco again. I could swear that everybody was staring at us at one point, when we were the only couple left on the dance floor, but I didn't care. If they didn't already know we were dating, then they did now. And nobody seemed to have any objection.
"Are you okay?" Whispered Draco, as more couples flooded back onto the dance floor.
"What are you talking about? I've never been so happy," I smiled, looking up at him affectionately. He brushed my cheek with his thumb and twirled me around until I was dizzy and fell into his chest. I hugged him as we twirled around for the rest of the dance, inhaling the sweet perfume of ice-cold deodorant and lavender that I had once detested.
"Do you remember when we had to share a room, and we both agreed it was the worst thing that had ever happened to us?" Asked Draco quietly. I smiled and kissed his cheek.
"Do you remember when a flashy git came and shared a room with me, and I decided that he was the worst idiot in the history of Hogwarts? Because that's how I - AAAH!" Draco cut me off and spun me around in the air. I hadn't been expecting it and leant back in comfortably to his chest as his arms enveloped warmly around me.
Somebody passed us by closely and I looked up to see Professor McGonagall passing with a small, tight-lipped smile on her face that I could have sworn was directed at us. She waved her wand and the smallest and most beautiful fireworks I'd ever seen erupted over our heads. I beamed at Draco.
I thought that night was as good as it could ever be.
Somehow, I was wrong.