limerence- d,,Malfoy

chapter eleven

I never thought I had ever caught anyone's gaze. This past month, I'd rejected three dates to the Yule Ball. Ella warned me that eventually, people would stop asking. I shrugged it off; I had completely immersed myself in the planning. I even missed the first Triwizard task, not that seeing teenagers close to death wouldn't be exciting.

I stepped off the edge of the train station, Ella clinging to me. She never liked the snow, or in fact, the cold. My mother, Grace Waterhorse, looked like a deranged woman. She clapped and cheered, rushing over to us. She grabbed a hold of everyone's faces and examined them for any differences.

"Vallie, you've got to shave that sad excuse for a moustache," she mothered, grabbing the three of us. "And you girl, stunning; I love the hair, Ella!"

My mother, however crazed she was, loved to fuss. She was a model, of course, whose whole life revolves around looking pretty. She led us down to the nearest dress shop, eagerly asking for her private booking. Ella seemed anything but excited, and Valentine shared just the same amount of joy.

I was good at faking. I squealed and cheered at every dress she brought out. Rushing to the changing room and groaning at the ugly colour or the horrid fabric Valentine picked out the first option she gave him, not even bothering to put it on. He sat down with a glum look, nodding at anything she said.

"I can't believe your mum is paying for all this," Ella gasped as she twirled in a maroon gown. "I mean, my mother barely noticed there was even a ball."

"Well, she can't let her perfect kids go out in unperfect clothes," I replied, pulling over a lilac gown, finally something I liked. The edges were trimmed with lace; it was loose but still gave room for some fitting features.

I walked out, spinning around and popping a hip. My mother gasped, tears welling in her eyes. She had always been an overly emotional person. Valentine rolled his eyes and wiped away fake tears. I chuckled at his mocking fake sobs and turned to the mirror.

"Look at you, all grown up." She cooed, hugging me from behind. "Gosh, I got so lucky with you too."

The next hour was spent picking and choosing, agreeing and disagreeing. Finally, we had finished with an hour to spare. My mother bargained with the school for a 'family emergency', which somehow got us out for the day. Valentine slumped down at the train station's cafe seat.

"So tell me, Ella." My mother conversed, holding a cup of tea between her hands, "Any boys interested in my daughter?"

"Oh, Mum, please don't."

"Actually, Aurora has a few after her," Ella laughed, chopping down on her sandwich. "You know, Draco Malfoy."

"Woah, hold on," I interrupted. "Draco is far from a crush; he's the boy that gave me all that trouble, remember, mum?"

My mother tutted me away. "Okay, so we don't like him, anyone else?"

"Well, you know that boy she's had a crush on for years."

"And that's the train; I love you; see you next holiday!" I interjected once more, savouring myself from the impending embarrassment. Valentine shot up and kissed my mother on the cheek before rushing out the door. I had to practically drag Ella away; she protested, wanting to spill all her secrets.

----

"Right people," I shouted, the library club all staring with Google eyes. "One month till the ball; we've got the band; we've got the decorations; now all we need is the step up!"

Everyone gazed around the room, and Elizabeth sighed. She was trying her hardest at staying away from Fred Weasly; they had a past thing, and it was messy. Luna painted the banners, making little snowflakes at the edges and a large one in the centre.

Stress was the least of my issues. I was being watched at the edge of the library; this time, it was a mix of wanted and unwanted attention. Draco gazed over at me, his eyes hungry and filled with want. I, however, ignored him. I'd been ignoring him since the Quidditch room heated up.

He had tried and failed multiple times to catch my attention. Going so far as to tell Snape I had copied his homework, but all failed. My mind was set on this ball; it was going to be just perfect. Even if I was utterly burned out, my body was running on nothing.

"Liz, mind getting those boxes from Madam Pince?" I asked politely, scribbling down on my note board. My hands darted around, trying to find a colour match for the crystal chandelier. Elizabeth hummed and walked off towards her, Fred following close behind.

I stuck my leg out and tripped him up. He didn't think I would let him scurry after her that quickly. My pen pointed to the paper mache, which he groaned and went to work on. I found myself being more bossy and anal than usual.

I may have lied; the stress was getting to me.

Draco's gaze didn't flatter; he remained seated with Pansy Parkinson begging for his attention. Blaise cracked a joke, and the whole table erupted with laughter. But Draco still looked straight ahead, his eyes pinned on me.

I glanced over, just to make sure I wasn't being full of it. How I wished I hadn't; he was so excited that I had finally acknowledged him. Making his way over, which I was simply not in the mood for.