Slytherin Lover

Fourth Year: The Yule Ball

The Yule Ball is going to take place in only a week. You've had several dancing lessons already, and today will be your last lesson. You are a terrible dancer, for sure. You desperately need these dancing classes.
"Alright, lets practice everyone", you hear professor Mcgonagall say. "Boys, I suggest you all take a partner and start dancing. The Yule Ball is in only a few days and you need to be ready."
All the girl students are sitting at one side of the room. You watch some of the boys stand up. Neville Longbottom, a Gryffindor student, is the first to ask the hand of a girl. She gladly takes it, and they both start practicing. More and more boys follow. They all ask a girl to dance with them. You watch as Susan and Ernie start dancing together. It puts a smile on your face.
"I assume no one wanted to dance with you", you hear Draco tease you in his own way. He's now standing in front of you. You look up at him and see his smirk, yet you are not standing up from your chair. You ignore him completely, until he reaches out his hand for you to take. You look at him in disbelief.
"Doesn't your girlfriend want to practice with you ?" You ask in a rather sassy tone of voice.
"What do you mean, girlfriend ?" He raises his eyebrow. You look around the room, but you can't see Pansy anywhere.
"Never mind", you mumble. You take his hand, and stand up, and you're not even sure why. He guides you to the middle of the room and places his hand on your waist. As he pulls you closer, a smile appears on your face and you seem to forget about Pansy all of the sudden.
"Ready ?" He smiles. You nod, and Draco starts the practice. He pulls you as close to his body as possible, and his smile is a genuine one, as is yours.
"I never thought you would take this so serious, Draco", you say, amazed by the fact that he dances quite good.
"You're a fair dancer yourself", he compliments you. He sweeps you around the room, and you couldn't have felt happier. Most students have stopped and are now staring at you and Draco. You feel that professor Mcgonagall is also staring at you two, clapping quietly at the sight of you two. You somehow can't hide your blush, and you notice that it makes Draco smile genuinely.
"Focus on me", he whispers quietly. You do as he says. You focus on him, and for a little moment, everything seems to fade away. It's as if only you and Draco are the ones left in the room. You smile unconditionally, your cheeks still being slightly pink. Never had you thought that this one boy standing in front of you, could make you so happy.
~
Almost a week later, you're strolling around the halls on a late afternoon. The Yule Ball is tonight, and you do not have a partner yet. Susan is going with Ernie, and you're very happy for them, yet you're desperately hoping someone will still ask you. The moment when you've almost given up all hope, Seamus walks up to you with a nervous smile.
"Blanche", he immediately starts. You look him up and down and notice how nervous he is. "I would very much like it if you would take my side at the ball tonight. I mean, only if you want to, and if no one has asked you yet."
You give him a genuine and sweet smile, which relaxes him a bit.
"I'd love to go with you, Seamus."
"Really ?" He asks in disbelief. You nod with your head. You come closer to him and pull him into a hug. Your eyes are closed at first, but when you open them, you see Draco. He's staring at you two, and he does not look pleased. You notice that he has a rose in his hand. He drops it to the floor, and breaks eye contact with you as he turns around and walks away.
You pull back, now only having a weak smile on your face, but Seamus is now wearing the biggest smile in the universe.
"I'll see you tonight", he says, then leaves you. You yourself make way for the Hufflepuff common room, and walk up to your dormitory. You try on every dress you have, which somehow takes hours, until you've found the perfect one to wear for the ball, that is now only an hour away. With a sigh you make yourself ready.
"You look beautiful, Blanche", you suddenly hear.
"So do you, Susan", you say to your best friend. She walks up to you and gives you a long hug.
"Shall I do your hair ?" She asks as she pulls back. You nod and sit down on your bed, waiting for her to braid your hair.

Together with Susan, you walk down the stairs. The Yule Ball has finally started, and you're excited, but not as excited as you thought you would be.
"I've seen Ernie already", Susan then says.
"I still have to find Seamus, but you go to Ernie, I'll meet you two later tonight."
"Have fun, Blanche", Susan says as she pulls you into a hug. You wish her the same and watch her go to Ernie.
As you walk through the crowd, all on your own since you haven't found Seamus yet, you see Draco together with Pansy. They're dancing together, and they look like the happiest couple in the world. When Pansy gives you a nasty look, you quickly look away from them. You push them out of your head and accidentally bump into Cedric. You apologise and look up at him with a smile.
"I haven't had the time to actually talk to you yet after your first task. Must be quite something to be a famous Triwizard Champion now", you say. A smile appears on his face and he hugs you quickly.
"You did great, Cedric. I'm really proud of you."
"Thank you", he then says. His date walks closer to him, and now finally, you see Seamus too.
"Have fun tonight, Blanche", Cedric says, before taking the waist of his date and walking away with her. You walk up to Seamus, and see that he's neatly dressed up in a black suit.
"I'm sorry I'm late", he quickly says. He takes your hand and looks you up and down.
"You look absolutely stunning, Blanche."
You blush slightly and throw your hands around his neck. He starts moving, and you notice that he's a great dancer, something you had not expected.
"Didn't think you'd be the one to take so long to dress up", you tease him with a smile. He swallows nervously.
"You look amazing, Seamus", you quickly say. He starts blushing, and continues to dance with you.

After hours, the Yule Ball has died down a little. Most students have left the ball already, and so has Seamus. You walk out of the Great Hall, and make way for your dorm, when you see Draco sitting by one of the windows, all alone.
"What are you doing here, Draco ?" You ask quietly. You take your place beside him, and his eyes are now fixed on you.
"Glad to see you had fun tonight", he says, looking away from you. You look away from him as well and press your lips against each other.
"I noticed that you had lots of fun too with your girlfriend", you suddenly say. You can feel his eyes on your body once again.
"You mean Pansy ? She's not my girlfriend, Blanche", Draco says. Your eyes travel around and find his eyes.
"No need to deny it, Draco. I am very happy for you", you say awkwardly. He comes closer to you.
"I'm not denying anything. She's not my girlfriend, and I don't want her to be."
You look at him as you notice he's now sitting as close to you as possible.
"She's all over you. She confronted me with the fact that she thinks I'm hanging out with you too much", you tell him. You see him raising an eyebrow.
"When did she confront you ?" Draco asks. You raise your shoulders.
"I don't know. Weeks ago."
"And you didn't tell me ?"
"Why would I, Draco ?" You say, locking your eyes with his. "She turned completely mad and she started calling me a mudblood several times. Why should I come to you for that ? It's something you used to do, too."
He closes his mouth, and so do you. You unlock your eyes from his, and sigh quietly.
"Are you happy with him ?" Draco suddenly says. You don't bother to look him into his eyes.
"Who are you talking about, Draco ?"
"Seamus, of course. You seem happy with him."
You now do turn your head and look at him.
"I like him as my friend, yes, and he's very fun to be around with. I had lots of fun with him tonight, although I had hoped you would ask me for the ball." You accidentally let those last words slip out of your mouth.
"Really ?" You hear him ask. You shake your head nervously and stand up. Before you can walk away, Draco takes your hand and stands up as well. You turn around and stare up into his beautiful grey eyes.
"I wanted to. I wanted to ask you", he admits.
"Why didn't you ?" Is the only question that comes out of your mouth. He's still gently holding your hand. You know why he didn't. He's a Slytherin, you're a Hufflepuff. People will hate on him once he's seen with a girl from Hufflepuff.
"I think I got scared", he truly says. He means it.
"Don't make me laugh. Draco Malfoy is never scared", you tease him. Your serious face has now been replaced by a relaxed expression. A happy expression. A playful expression.
"You may find it quite hard to believe how many times I'm actually terrified", he says. Both his and your smile leave your lips. He slowly takes your other hand and guides them to the back of his neck. Once your hands are settled, he lowers his hands and takes your waist to pull you closer to him. You let it happen. You're not against him doing this.
You slowly come closer to him, and place your forehead against his. You close your eyes, and try to figure out what is going on. He's being gentle with you, as if he's scared to hurt you, and he's being kind, something that was rare to see coming from Draco. Yet you don't mind. You like this. You like him.
"Are you scared now ?" You whisper quietly, your eyes still closed. You can feel him shaking his head lightly. And then, he softly presses his lips against yours. Your arms move away from his neck and now cup his face. You gently kiss him back, with every inch of love that is inside your body. Butterflies start growing in your stomach. Never had you thought this would happen, but it did, and you are not objecting. It is like this is meant to happen, and it feels more magical than any love spell ever created.
"Blanche", he then says the moment he has pulled back. "Have I already told you how absolutely beautiful you are ?"
Your cheeks turn red. They've never been this red ever before.
"Oh, shush", you say quietly. You're still cupping his face.
"No, I won't keep quiet", he says with a smile. "I'll tell you until you'll believe me. You're beautiful, Blanche."
You smile uncontrollably when you feel his lips on yours once again.