scars {dramione one-shots}

two {yule ball, gof}

{hermione's pov}

Viktor had left me to get drinks for the both us. He was charming and sweet, and honestly, I don't know why he asked me to the Yule Ball when there are much prettier girls in the school. Don't get me wrong, I'm honoured, it just doesn't feel... right.

While I wait for him to come back with the drinks, I sit with Ron and Harry, who are looking as glum as a rainy Monday. "Where's Krum gone, Hermione?" Ron says sarcastically.
"Just to get us drinks," I reply, not paying attention to his sarcasm.
"I can't believe he asked you," Ron sneers.
"Excuse me? We're just friends!" I answer in disbelief. What was Ron getting at?
"He's only known you a couple of days, surely there are other girls he wanted to go with. Besides, he's way too old for you."
"Ron..." Harry warns, standing up to put a barrier between Ron and myself. "You need to calm down right now."
"Just because you're jealous Ronald, does not mean you can ruin my evening!" I say angrily.
"Your evening ruined? My date won't even dance with me! She's already off with some other guy!" he protests.
"Well Ronald, maybe next time you should gain the courage and put the effort in to ask who you like instead of making them wait!" I shout. Heads start to turn at the commotion we are making. "I thought you were better this," I say quietly. Ron looks taken aback, but I meant what I said. I spun on my heel and storm out of the ballroom, not wanting to be here anymore.

{draco's pov}

This night was not for me. I hate dancing - I can never get the steps right and it bores me after a while. Anyway, Pansy was happy enough chatting with her friends and having a good time, so she won't miss me. The stone steps I sit on are freezing, but it is soothing compared to the heat of the ballroom. I am just about to leave, but I see Hermione run out of the ballroom and head my way. I continue walking away, but then I see the expression on her face. Her dainty face is red and her eyes are puffy. Great sobs vibrate through her chest, her hair has fallen out in parts. Something was wrong. "Granger?" I ask cautiously. She stops dead in her tracks and quickly wipes away her tears.
"Spare me your tricks, Malfoy." Typical. Whenever I try to be nice, it is thrown back in my face. She takes a seat a few steps down from me, burying her face in her hands. I walk down the steps towards her, ever so quietly in case she runs away. I had never seen her this upset, even when the Weasel made her cry in our first year. My pale finger reaches out to touch her shoulder, and she jumps. However she doesn't scold me for it. "Where's Pansy?" she asks.
"With her friends somewhere, she's enjoying herself without me," I say with a sad smile.
"Good to know someone is having a good night."
"Oh?"
"Really Malfoy. You think I'm having a good night if I look like this?" She points to herself as if to give me some kind of evidence. I don't see anything wrong with her, she looks... beautiful.
"I think you look... pretty," I say, not wanting to sound too desperate.
"That's more than Ron thinks," she says looking down, blushing slightly.
"Why do you care so much what the Weasel thinks?" Wrong thing to say. She whips her head up to me and gives me a long, hard stare. "This conversation is over."
She gets up and starts to walk away back to the Gryffindor dormitory. I let her go, I have already caused enough trouble tonight.

{hermione's pov}

What was I thinking? Pity from Malfoy? Jeez I was going mad. But after tonight I thought...
I stop at the end of the dark corridor, hand braced against the wall and tears well up in my eyes. Viktor hadn't even come looking for me - he was probably with some other girl at the moment anyway. And Ron... how dare he say those things! I had done nothing, nothing to him, and this is how he treats me.
I feel my knees buckle and soon enough I am curled up on the floor, tears streaming down my face and sobs shuddering through my whole body. For one night, I thought I could be someone different, not the teacher's pet everyone thinks me to be. With all these thoughts going through my head, I didn't realise the person behind me.

{draco's pov}

I couldn't help it. I had to follow her. And now I see her, crumpled on the floor. I feel awful. Walking over to her, I realise she is crying again. So different to the strong Hermione I am used to seeing. "Hey," I whisper, reaching for her hand. To my surprise, she takes it and turns towards me.
"You came back," she says, almost disbelievingly.
"Of course," I say a small smile on my face. I help to pull her up off the floor and give her my jacket as she was kind of shivering.
"Such a gentleman, Malfoy," she mocks, but I don't care. Holding Granger's hand, I walk with her back to the Gryffindor domitories.

Eventhough, it was a short walk, it felt like a very long time. We walked in silence, nothing needed to be said. When I thought she was going to tear up again, I squeezed her hand gently, letting her know I was still here.

"This is me then," she announces as we reach the Fat Lady's portrait. I smile at her and start to walk away, hands in my pockets.
"Malfoy?"
I whirl around again. Oh god she was stunning. The dress she wears makes her look so different, and her hair is gorgeous in that style. Get a grip Draco. "Hmm?"
"I thought you might want your jacket back," she smiles shyly.
"Oh... er yeah," I say, a grin on my face. I walk back over to her, trying not to make a fool of myself by tripping over in the dim light. I finally reach her, and realise we are standing quite close together. Very close. I hold out a hand for my jacket, and she hands it over. "Thank you," she says.
"Anytime," I reply. I hesitate a minute before saying, "you look beautiful tonight."
Granger blushes slightly, and then I have no idea what happened to me. I slide an arm around her waist and kiss her. She doesn't pull away, and she wraps her arms around my neck. I was not expecting that. It was slow, and nice. I pull away first, reluctantly. And now here I am, grinning like an idiot. "Thank you. For tonight," she laughs at my expression, then turns and mumbles the password to get into her domitory. She looks over her shoulder at me one last time and smiles.

I laugh at myself a little as I walk back to the Slytherin dormitories.

***
sorry this one is quite long!