The Girl Who Lived (Draco Malfoy x OC)

The Yule Ball

December 25th 1994

Everyone at Hogwarts was determined to impress the visitors from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang at Christmas. The decorations were some of the nicest Harper had ever seen in her four years at Hogwarts. Everlasting icicles hung from banisters of the marble staircase, the usual twelve Christmas trees in the Great Hall were bedecked with everything from bright holly berries to real, hooting, golden owls, and the suits of armor had all been bewitched to sing carols whenever anyone passed them - which Harper actually wasn't a fan of.

She jumped when one started busting out 'O Come, All Ye Faithful,' as she and Hermione walked to the Great Hall for the ball. Hermione petted her back, telling Harper her nerves were showing. She was looking absolutely stunning in her periwinkle-blue, her hair twisted into an elegant knot. Harper hoped Krum would let her friend know how pretty she was tonight. Harper herself donned deep burgundy or as Lavender called it, 'a dark wine.' The silk clung to her upper body, making the developing girl feel a little exposed amongst the other students and guests. The skirt flowed out, rippling like water as she walked while she wore her long hair down in styled waves.

The entrance hall was packed upon their arrival, students milling for the doors to be open. Though Harper wanted to see Ginny and Ron before they prepared for the Champion Entrance, Hermione ushered her along to meet with their dates. She was happy to see Fred dressed in his robes, crisp as wintergreen berries, fitting his slender form entirely. Thank Merlin he was joking about the bright purple robes at Quidditch training. He extended his hand out to her, resembling quite the gentleman.

"You look ravishing, my dear," he said in his most pompous accent, taking her hand and pressing a small kiss to the back of her palm.

Harper could feel the warmth on her cheeks, undoubtedly blushing. Fred was just a great friend of hers, almost like a big brother. When it became apparent that most of the guys asking to go to the ball with her just wanted the fame and glory, she was adamant to attend with someone she knew didn't care for it. Ron was the obvious choice, but that was too weird, so when Fred actually asked her, she was delighted. Though he was half-joking at the beginning, they then decided it wasn't such a bad idea.

"Champions over here!" McGonagall called.

They were to enter the Great Hall in procession when the rest of the students had sat down. Fleur Delacour and Roger Davies stationed themselves nearest the doors; Davies looked so stunned by his good fortune in having Fleur for a partner that he could hardly take his eyes off her. Cedric and Cho followed closed behind then Krum and Hermione stood next. Harper pinched her friend as she and Fred lined up last. At the sound of the trumpets, they entered the hall to everyone's applause. Harper didn't even let her eyes wander, she just stared straight ahead, a vice grip on Fred's forearm.

The band started playing a slow, mournful tune as the four pairs of Champions and their dates positioned themselves across the floor. Harper could feel the eyes of everyone on her as she scrambled to hold onto Fred. Despite the days of practice Fred forced upon her in the weeks leading up to the ball, Harper was still no elegant swan. She noted Fleur to her right and attempted to copy her movements. The music swelled and Fleur swept like a queen while Harper fumbled around like a duck.

"Just breathe," Fred whispered into her ear.

She had to admit, Fred's hold on her was extremely comforting and she was thankful he was her partner tonight. Her eyes sought Ron in the crowd, wearing the ghastly robes Ginny described and staring aghast at Hermione with Krum. Seamus and Dean were giddy beside him and Neville looked downright amazed at the event. The moment Harper started to get into the swing of the dance, her eyes caught silver ones and she inwardly scowled realising Draco Malfoy was watching her. She opted to just stare at Fred, noticing how his eyes resembled Honeydukes toffee.