My Father's Only Rule {DRACO MALFOY X SNAPE'S DAUGHTER}

Chapter Fifteen: Dashing And Dateless

Christmas Day 1994 - The Yule Ball - Hogwarts

"I literally can't believe I'm about to go to the Yule Ball without a date," I said as I stared at myself in the mirror.

"I literally can't believe nobody asked you," said Jane from around the corner. "I'm sure they were just scared. Or maybe they didn't want to be insensitive about your breakup- holy shit!" she said as she turned the corner.

"What?" I asked, turning to look at her. She was wearing a deep emerald dress with a deep neckline and a slit right in the middle.

"You!" she said. "Is my best friend the hottest girl in Hogwarts?" I blushed.

"Maybe just the hottest one without a date," I said, putting my earrings in.

"Listen," she said. "You're just gonna have to make everybody regret not asking you. Which I know you definitely will."

"Like how you just knew someone would ask me?" I said rhetorically.

"Listen, I'm seriously in shock," she said. "I mean you remember, don't you? How everyone wanted you before Cedric?"

"Yeah I remember," I said. "I guess they just don't want me after Cedric." Jane sat down at the end of the bed and looked at me.

"Make them regret it," she said, and I smiled.

We walked down to the great hall. Blaise and Draco were waiting at the bottom of the stairs for Jane and Pansy. I hope Draco sees me and can't look away. When they sensed us coming they turned around, and both jaws dropped. We couldn't help but smile and look at each other.

"Blaise," said Jane as we reached the bottom of the stairs.

"Jane," he said. "Stunning as always."

"And what about Grace?" she asked as if it was obvious that her date would give me a compliment. I could tell she was doing it to be nice, to make up for me not having a date.

"Of course," he said. "You look wonderful, Grace."

"Draco?" Jane said. Draco couldn't form words.

"I-uh, you look-"

"Hello, Draco," Pansy said, appearing out of nowhere and taking Draco's arm. Jane and I almost laughed at the sight of her. She looked like a walking cupcake.

"Oh, hello Pansy," he said, barely looking at her.

"What are you snickering at, Jane?" she snapped.

"It's not me you need to worry about," Jane said. Then Pansy saw me, and her eyes widened.

"Come on, Draco," she said quickly, dragging Draco away. But even as she pulled him into the great hall, he couldn't stop staring at me.

"You know she's terrified of you, right Grace?" Jane said. I smirked.

"I figured," I said. Jane and Blaise joined arms as we all walked together into the great hall.

"Where's Cedric?" Blaise asked. Jane and I exchanged looks. Then Jane nudged him in the side. "What? I just figured your boyfriend would be waiting for you by the stairs."

"We broke up," I said.

"What? When?"

"A week ago," I said.

"How did you not know?" Jane asked. "I thought everyone knew."

"I don't think anybody knows," Blaise said. "All month, all the guys have been talking about how they'd ask you if you weren't with Cedric." I stopped walking to take it in.

"What?" I asked.

"Everyone wanted to ask you," he said. "I'm serious. Everyone's been talking about it."

"How do you know?" I asked.

"People talk," he said. "And I'm quiet. They don't know I'm listening."

"So are you really telling me that the only reason I don't have a date is because nobody knew Cedric and I broke up."

"I'm sorry, Grace," Jane said. "But once they see that you're not dancing with Cedric, they'll know for sure. And someone will ask you to dance."

"Not if they all have dates," I argued.

"Trust me," Jane said. "When they see that you left Cedric to be date-less, they'll leave their own dates for one dance." I sighed. That may be true. But there was only one person I wanted to dance with.