The rest of the story

Chapter Eight

I knew the dance would be a dull mockery at best, but I didn't expect how positively atrocious Weasley would look. His dress robes look like a feather duster that got sucked through a vacuum then spit back out into a pile of rags. Finally his appearance properly matches his personality. I glance at my reflection briefly and smirk. Why would anyone opt for traditional robes? Even Potter looks like some sort of strange cat magician. He's milling about with Weasley, both of them looking positively ridiculous.

"Poor kid, bet she's alone in her room crying her eyes out," Ron's voice drolls out.

"Who?"

"Hermione of course. Come on Harry, why'd you think she wouldn't tell us who she's coming with?"

"Because we'd take the mickey out of her if she did."

"Because nobody asked her. I would have taken her myself if she weren't so bleeding proud." Dear God. Can he... see himself right now? Ron and Harry turn to approach his fangirl twins I've seen humming about. Wow, did Ron actually need Harry to get a date for him? Parvati and Padma look appalled by his presence.

"Hello boys. Don't you look... dashing." Before I can watch the rest of this delightful situation play out, Pansy shows up. I don't notice until she's right next to me, tugging at my arm. She's wearing a very frilly pink dress, and her hair looks different.

"Draco... Draco... hello?" she calls before I turn toward her. "Wow, where were you?" She laughs, her mouth curling into a bright smile. I think she's wearing lipstick.

"I think the seventh circle of hell based upon the existence of..." my voice trails off as I gesture toward Weasley, just as he begins stomping off with poor Padma. "that."

"Well I'm glad you made it out. That is... certainly disturbing." Her eyes flick from my white suit jacket and tie to dark black dress pants. "I'm glad you went less traditional or I might actually have to die in a fire."

"You could start an emotional support group with Padma. I think she needs therapy now."

"I think she needed therapy before." Pansy wrinkles her nose in disgust. "Her and all of the other Potter sycophants." She's perfect.

"Should we head inside now?"

"Sure." Pansy loops her hand around my arm, and we walk together into the Great Hall. Inside, it is absolutely gorgeous. Floor to ceiling is lined with delicate sheets of ice, and large, glimmering evergreen trees line the front of the room. Fairies flit delicately overhead.

"Alright, children. Line up. Make a pathway." McGonagall ushers us into a makeshift aisleway of people. There's a consistent hum of whispers as McGonagall tries to usher everyone into some sort of even organization. It seems like forever before the great golden doors finally swing open and Fleur Delacour strolls in proudly with her arm looped around Roger Davies. Next is Hermoine with... Viktor Krum? I smirk as my eyes flick toward Weasley who looks unbelievably mad and stricken with disbelief. Good for her. I barely notice Cedric before my eyes land on Potter. He looks incredibly uncomfortable. My mind flicks back involuntarily to what he said to me in the laundry room.

"Can you believe that's the guy everyone's so obsessed with? I mean, look at him," Pansy scoffs, rolling her eyes. I don't respond. The triwizard champions walk to the center of the room and line up to begin the dance. Parvati whispers something to Potter and he looks unbelievably confused before the music starts, and he clumsily stumbles into action. The poor guy looks like Parvati is dragging him along after her, barely managing not to trip over his own feet.

"Should we join?" Pansy whispers, and I look at her in surprise. I hadn't noticed that the crowd had started filtering into the dancing.

"Yes." I lead Pansy into the crowd, and we begin smoothly gliding across the floor together seamlessly. We look much better than Potter, who is still stumbling along chaotically while looking for the nearest chance to escape.