Shut Up and Kiss Me

Chapter 12 | The Ball

Chapter 12 The Ball

By some miracle, Hermione and Draco were able to make it to the ball on time. They know that they should've went earlier being the event planners and all, but they were glad to see that Luna and Dean filled in for them.

They were thunderstruck when they saw reporters there. Aurors were a given, but reporters?

They wouldn't have noticed them hadn't they kept taking pictures and flashes going off every few minutes. Hermione was beyond triggered. She went up to the headmistress immediately.

"Professor," she tried to keep her tone down, "What are they doing here?"

McGonagall's mouth was in a line before she sighed, "Writing some story about life in Hogwarts after the war. I don't want him here as much as you do, trust me."

Draco eventually showed up behind Hermione, pressing a hand on her bare shoulder. "It'll be okay. Come on, let's go."

He was right of course, she knew that something like this shouldn't affect her this much. However, she couldn't help being cautious after everything they've done in the past.

Hermione made sure to find Claire and thank her for the masquerade idea. The masks made it extra hard for the reporters to recognize everyone, reducing the entire room's anxiety.

She couldn't help relaxing when Draco dragged her to the dance floor, he was having such a good time that his laugh was contagious. They were making complete fools of themselves on the dance floor with the rest of their friends when the music changed.

Grabbing Hermione by the waist, Draco led their slow dance. She was quite impressed, "Who taught you how to dance like that, Malfoy?"

His neck instantly went red, "No one, I was born with it."

The redness in Draco's neck sparked her curiousity. "What are you hiding mister?"

"Well," he cleared his throat awkwardly. "You know how back in fourth year, McGonagall taught you guys how to dance for the Yule Ball?"

"Yeah..." Hermione was trying to hold her laughter, already seeing where this is going. "And?"

Seriously, any redder and Draco's neck would be too hot to touch.

"Well the Heads of Houses were responsible for that task..." he mumbled.

She was giggling at that point, "Can you remind me who was the head of Slytherin back then?''

Instead of answering her, he tried to come up with the best impression of Snape known to man.

"Put... Your... Hands... On my waist."

Hermione was laughing hysterically when she saw someone tap Draco on the shoulder, it was Harry. "May I burrow your lady for a dance, Malfoy?"

Within moments, Draco was dancing with Ginny, and Harry with Hermione.

"So Weasley, how are things with Potter?"

"Better than ever. Why do you call us using family names?"

"Force of habit I guess."

"Well, change that habit." They glared at each other till they both couldn't help bursting out in laughter.

Meanwhile, Hermione and Harry talked in whispers as they danced. Draco couldn't help grinning at the sight of them. He hadn't known how good of a friend Harry was, until he gained him as one himself.

Even Ron wasn't that bad, he thought to himself, When you get to know him better.

Once that dance was over, Draco left the three to go find his possibly first ever friend in this school. She was dancing with Zabini when he winked at him. He wanted to dance with Luna before the end of the ball.