After the punch

11. No pink

The yule ball was nearing. The entire school had heard about the rumour that Hermione was lying about already having a date, to protect her pride.

"She's stupid really, she could've gone with the Weasel or Potter, but now she's all alone. Proving once more that mudblood's are simpleminded." Pansy said, "She doesn't even have any pride to protect." She was sat on one of the leather couches in the Slytherin common room with Draco's head in her lap. "Wait, you didn't ask her right?"

"Why would I have?" Draco asked her.

"Well we had that whole plan, remember?"

Draco chuckled, "Not even my reputation can take a hit like that, a mudblood as a date. I would have to dig to the core of the earth to get over the humiliation."

"Wouldn't you just end up in China then?" Pansy asked

"Sure Pans." He said.

Theo chuckled, "I severely doubt she would even go with you if you asked, she wouldn't even look at you that time in the library."

"Oh I could get her to do whatever I want." Draco bragged.

"But we're going together to the ball right?" Pansy asked

"Of course. But I'm not matching your dress, I'm not wearing pink."

"I know, I know."

---

"What if you just told them, 'Mione? It would be sure to shut them up." Ginny argued.

Hermione sighed, "I'm not gonna use Viktor as a trophy. If they don't want to believe I have a date then they don't have to."

"Of course. He is kind of a trophy though. Everyone wanted to go with him, even some of the guys, I'm sure."

"Then they'll witness my victory at the ball. At least if people can divert their gaze from Ronald's dress robes." She laughed.

"I think the problem will more be that nobody can look at Ron, because those dress robes hurt your eyes."

"Oh definitely"

"But now, we have to get going, I still need to visit Gladrags for some heels to match my dress. This is why you steal sweets and Zonko's products from your brothers, then you have money left for clothes."

"Very wise."

"I thought so." The girls chuckled and put on their scarfs and jackets to go outside.

---

"You should try this bowtie, it would match with me!"

"I already told you no pink." Draco groaned

"But it would look so good." Pansy continued

Draco shot a glance at the shop owner, Augustus. He may be over 100 years old, but the man knew his clients.

"How about this white bowtie?" Augustus offered and Draco happily took the bait and paid for it as soon as he could.

The little bell went off as Hermione and Ginny entered the store. The girls were busy with their conversation about which colour Ginny's heels should be.

"How can I help you ladies?" Augustus asked them with a smile.

Pansy turned up her nose at the girls, "I don't think you can help them Augie, I'm pretty sure they won't even go to the ball, it's not like they have dates."

"Now ms. Parkinson, just let the girls tell me themselves." Augustus said.

"Thank you mister Hill, I was wondering if you had any turquoise heels that would match the dress you made for me." Ginny asked.

Augustus asked them to wait for a little bit while he took a look in the back.

"Aren't you too young to go?" Draco asked Ginny

"Not if I'm asked by someone who is old enough." She told him.

"Who would want to take you?" Pansy chuckled.

Augustus appeared again with a dusty pink shoebox. "These should be the exact same shade." He opened the box for her, revealing the prettiest little turquoise heels.

"They're perfect!" Ginny exclaimed.

Augustus nodded and muttered a spell while tapping his wand against Ginny's foot and then against the shoes, causing them to shape to her feet. "They should fit perfect now. Is there anything else I can do for you girls?" He asked.

"I was wondering if my dress was ready yet?" Hermione asked, but before she had finished her sentence, Augustus had already grabbed a big silver box and opened it for her, to see it was indeed the dress she had ordered.

"Why would you need a dress? It's not like anyone will look at you?" Draco tried, but if Hermione had heard him she sure as hell wasn't going to let him notice.

"Thank you!" She said to Augustus. The girls paid for the heels and the dress and made their way to the door again.

"Oh by the way, Pansy, if you're looking for jewellery I would go for a choker. That looks like a collar, it would go great with your pug face." Ginny said with a smile, making Draco chuckle. The girls left the store while giggling.

A/N This chapter was a bit shorter than the usual and overall just kind of a filler chapter but it's now time for the yule ball!!