His Hidden Side - Draco Malfoy

16- Yule Ball

(Sorry the chapter is long, but it's the Yule Ball, so it's special)

I stand in front of the mirror in disbelief. Was the girl staring back at me, me? I start to twirl and the reflection follows suit.

"Stop fretting Lily! You look absolutely beautiful!" gushes Hermione from behind me, she gives my arm a squeeze of reassurance. I touch my collar bones, I feel so bare, so exposed. Hermione reaches over plucks the last thing from the box - a beautiful gold crescent moon necklace. "You won't feel so bare with this on. Its quite beautiful." she admires it.

I lift up my curled up hair as Hermione puts the necklace around me and pins the back. It suited my dress perfectly. The dress was a satin dark blue like the night sky with a golden trim. It feels very flowy with the back longer than the front.

***

I stay behind as Hermione walks gracefully down the stairs turning everyone's heads in her beautiful pink dress. She links arms with Viktor Krum and I start to giggle as I see Ron's jealous face. He's hopeless.

Once the crowd dispersed, I walk down the stairs having my own magical fairytale moment.
A tall platinum blonde boy wearing black velvet robe tuxedo with a high collar and a white bow tie awaits me downstairs, his jaw slightly dropped and his eyes fixed on me.
"You.. you look just like a real lady." He leans in and whispers. My cheeks go hot. "But you shouldn't be dressing up as someone youre not. It's not Halloween Roswell." He smiles smugly.

"At least I'm not dressed like a vicar." I shoot back. It obviously affects him as he shuts his mouth and nods annoyed. I don't tell him he looks like a handsome vicar.

"Let me accompany you in." He takes my arm linking it to his without giving me a say. I want to pull away but I can't. I panic over Hermione and the others seeing him with me. And what about Pansy??

We step through the double doors leading to the great Hall. Except the Great Hall looked nothing like it usually did, it was replaced by a Winter Wonderland. Icicles dangled from the ceiling and shimmering silks and ornaments decorated the walls. It is a silvery masterpiece, with the only colour coming from the gowns and robes of the guests which mingle happily together.

From a quick scan I finally see Pansy at the side, her eyes gleaming and her cheeks flushing when she sees Malfoy. I don't need to pull away from Malfoy's grasp, he drops my hand immediately when he sees Pansy and rushes over to her.
He takes her skinny hand into his and plants a kiss as he looks at her in admiration. What a gentleman...

She giggles snobbishly at his gesture. In contrast I just feel myself wanting to gag. I brush past them and sink into the crowd away from their eyesight. It's not like I'm wanted by their side anyway.

Not long after the four Triwizard champions enter the Great Hall along with their dates. The four couples begin to dance to an uplifting orchestral song conducted by Professor Flitwick. Soon enough everyone joins in and I'm left standing awkwardly alone at the sidelines.

It's quite beautiful I suppose, if you look past the awkwardness. The colours wiz past me at great speeds as couples dance and spin around gracefully. There's much opportunity for romance to bloom. Yet, I have never felt so alone.

Harry and Ron don't enjoy the festivities either, they're  both slumped miserably against their chairs. I don't want to disturb them so I sit down by the table next to them.

Instead I listen to their muffled conversation over the loud music. Ron complains and groans to Harry about how Hermione could chose to go with someone like Viktor. Much to Ron's dismay, Hermione looks particularly happy dancing with Krum.