Amortentia (Dramione)

Cedric's Ball

I stared at the beautiful white dress before me. It was strapless with a sweetheart neckline that would look absolutely stunning on me. It was beautifully beaded through its midsection with a fur shaw draped around the mannequin's neck. It was perfect. This was the dress.

"Blimey, Mione." Ginny gasped as she stared at the dress beside me, "You surely know how to pick your ballgowns."

"Do you think it's appropriate? Will Draco like it?" I asked nervously.
Everything has to be perfect.

"Are you joking?" She scoffed, "Of course it is, and of course Draco will love it! I love it!"

I nodded to Ginny, trying to contain my excitement. Then I turned to Miss May who was working the counter, "Excuse me? I'd like to buy this dress."

Miss May was a young lady who worked with her mother. She was a very sweet girl who adored helping others.
"Of course, sweetie!" She exclaimed, flicking her wand.

The dress then removed itself from the mannequin and properly placed itself into the box she had placed on the counter.
"Would you like a mask to go with it? My treat!" She asked.

"Yes!" Ginny answered for me, then looked to me in an embarrassed way, "Sorry, I would kill for a dress like that."

"We have a similar one, dear." Miss May smiled, "It's a light blue color with sleeves. The midsection is identical, though. Would you like me to bring it out?"

Ginny's eyes widened, "Oh yes please!"

Miss May grinned as she flicked her wand. A dress exactly as she described floated towards us and into a separate box. She then placed our masks into our boxes and wrapped them up.

After paying for our gowns, Ginny and I strolled out of the shop feeling extremely ready for the ball. Now just a day away, I was ready to dance the night away with Draco. The best part of this ball was the fact that no one would know who we were. We could finally be ourselves in public.
We can kiss in public.

"You know, we would be the girls to buy our gowns the day before the ball." Ginny laughed as we walked back into Hogwarts.

"You're right." I giggled, "We should start calling ourselves Ron for waiting until the last minute."

After entering the Gryffindor common room, I saw no one other than Ron sitting on the couch. He had this gloomy look on his face.
"Oh hello, Mione. Hello Ginny." He said.

"What's wrong with you?" Ginny asked curiously.

Ron sighed deeply, "I have to break up with Lavender. She's driving me crazy. All she ever wants to do is snog me!"

Now he realizes how crazy she is?
"Well you can't break up with her the day before the ball!" I told him, "Do you know how crushed she would be?"

"What if I told her I promised I'd go with someone else?" He suggested, jumping out of his seat and coming towards me. Ron stopped in front of me and took my hand, "Go to the ball with me."

Um what?!
"Ron...."

"No! Come with me. It'll be a weight lifted off of my shoulders."

I slowly pulled my hand away from Ron's, "I can't. I'm going with someone."

Ron scrunched his face up in annoyance, "With that guy? You're going to the ball with him, huh?"

"Why wouldn't I?!" I exclaimed, "He asked me."

Ron grunted and threw his hands up in the air, "I just can't ever win can I?"

"Ron, I like this guy!" I told him angrily, "You have no control over my emotions! I'm going with him and that's final! Don't use me as a last resort or as something to get rid of your crazy girlfriend!"
Then I stormed up the stairs and slammed the door shut as I entered my dorm.
Bloody git! He was just apologizing yesterday!

"I am seriously going to disown him." Ginny muttered as she entered the room, "Bloody idiot."

When I managed to calm myself down, I placed my boxed up gown on my bed and sat down.
I couldn't help falling for Malfoy. It was out of my control, but I wish I could have fallen for someone more...acceptable.
If only life was that easy.
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On the day of the ball I received an owl from Draco. The note said:
Meet me at the bottom of the staircase. I'll be the one wearing a mask. ;)
...I'm kidding. I'll be in a navy blue suit with an ugly Hufflepuff gold tie.
-D.M.

I shook my head and laughed at the note I received.

"Are you going to start getting ready, or are you going to drool over your love letter some more?" Ginny teased.

I giggled a bit at Ginny's comment before I started getting ready.
I decided to wear my hair up in a style very similar to when I attended the Yule Ball. This time, however, I had my hair neatly tucked in and left no room for fly away hairs. It was an elegant bun with my hair parted to the right.
Next, I did my makeup. Yet, I didn't put on too much. I put on the right amount wearing only foundation, mascara, eyeliner, and the slightest bit of lipstick and blush. I wanted to look elegant and not like a clown.
And last, but certainty not least, I slipped on my pure white dress and my matching shoes.

"Wow." Ginny gasped, "You look beautiful."

I smiled at Ginny, taking on her appearance as well. She had curled her hair, leaving it half up and half down. Her makeup was flawless, and her dress complimented her fiery red hair.
"Ginny you look gorgeous!" I said, giving her a tight hug.

"Okay, okay, let's not be sappy." Ginny laughed, pulling away from me and taking my shoulders in her hands, "Let's go to the ball!"

When Ginny and I made our way out of our dorms, we caught the eyes of several Gryffindors in the common room. Harry was waiting for Ginny by the stairs and once she reached him, he stole her away.
"You look perfect." He whispered to her, then he smiled warmly at me, "You look beautiful too, Hermione."

I nodded towards Harry and let the two of them be. Just as I was leaving the room, Ron was coming in. Ron's eyes widened at my appearance and his mouth gaped open, "Mione."

"Ron." I nodded, then I pushed passed him and kept walking.
I didn't have time for his drama.

When I finally reached the staircase, I felt my heart beating faster.
Oh! The mask!
I had almost forgotten!

After situating my mask, I took a deep breath and made my way down the stairs. Surely enough, a tall bleach blonde haired gentleman was waiting for me at the bottom. 

As I approached him, his eyes caught mine and he gasped ever so slightly, "Hermione."
Draco took my hand and brought me into him, "You're beautiful."
He was wearing a jet black mask, exposing his crystal blue eyes, and was wearing exactly what he described in his note.

"T-Thank you." I stammered, feeling the butterflies in my stomach.

"You look even more gorgeous than the night of the Yule Ball." He said with a smile on his face.
Draco then led me into the Great Hall, taking my hand in his.

Once all of the students had arrived, Professor McGonagall took the stage before us.
"Good evening!" She exclaimed, "We are gathered here today to celebrate someone very special and dear to our hearts. Cedric Diggory was an excellent student and will forever remain in our hearts. Let his memory live on.
Tonight I want you all to have fun, but not too much fun. The spell will be cast on the castle in a few minutes and then will be lifted at the stroke of midnight. The identities of everyone in this room will be concealed, unless you have a date. In that case, you will only know their own identities. Let the count down begin!"

The crowd surrounding me counted down with McGonagall. When it was finally time, she gave her wand a flick...and the night began.
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