yule ball

snowflakes

Draco's breath fogged up the window as he pressed his face up against it.

It was Christmas Day, the Yule Ball was in a couple of hours, and what was Harry doing?

Having a snowball fight in the middle of the courtyard.

He squinted through the fog at Granger, who was waving goodbye to Harry and the Weasley. She must be getting ready three hours early. Draco scoffed.

Although, speaking of getting ready...

Draco grabbed a coat, put on his shoes, and headed outside.

When he reached the courtyard, he had to sulk around for a couple of minutes before Harry saw him. Well, more accurately, didn't see him, because Harry only noticed Draco after he threw a snowball at Draco's face.

"I'm so sorry!" Harry ran over, his face red from the cold. He tried to wipe the snow off of Draco's face with his gloves, but ended up smudging it all over his neck.

Draco must have been very nervous, the funny feeling in his stomach was coming back again.

Instead of responding, he leaned down, scooped up a handful of snow, and flung it right into Harry's face.

The boy stood there in disbelief for a couple of seconds, snow dripping down his chin, before he dropped to the ground and scooped up a handful of snow. He threw Draco off by running, throwing the snowball behind him seconds before he ducked behind a tree.

It hit slightly off mark, landing right onto Draco's heart. He brushed the snow off, but wayward white flakes still clung to his robes.

He had an idea, and threw another snowball and Harry, running towards the doors to the hall.

Harry had to follow him, so Draco stood on the steps and watched as Harry weaved through the students strolling through the lawn, the snowball clutched in his mittened hand slowly melting.

When Harry finally reached the bottom of the stairs, he was panting. Draco dodged the incoming snowball easily, ducking under it as he ran down the stairs and grabbed Harry's wrist.

"What-" Harry laughed as Draco pulled him inside Hogwarts.

"C'mon," Draco dropped Harry's arm and faced him. Their faces were both flushed, and Harry was rubbing his hands together in a feeble attempt to warm them. "Let's get ready."

"Already?" Harry raised his eyebrows.

Draco rolled his eyes. "Yes, we've got to look at least somewhat presentable, Potter."

Harry waved his finger back and forth. "Harry, remember?"

"Fine." Draco sighed. "Anyways, I was thinking we could meet at a designated time. I was thinking that we could help each other, but then I remembered that muggle tradition that says you're not supposed to see each other before a dance."

"That's for weddings, Draco," Harry laughed. "I don't think we're quite there yet."

"Oh." Draco felt his face heating up.

"But you're right. Let's meet ten minutes before the ball, at the doors to the Great Hall."

"Okay." Draco nodded. He was still at a loss for words after that embarrassing muggle mix-up. He was going to kill Pansy, as she was the one who told him about it.

"Okay." Harry parotted him, but Draco could tell it wasn't mean-spirited. Maybe Harry was nervous, too. "I'll see you!" Harry called over his shoulder as he walked away.

"Bye," Draco waved, but Harry was too far away to hear him.

The walk back to the Slytherin common room was torture. Draco was a bundle of nerves with nothing to distract him from his thoughts.

It was a relief when he reached his dormitory, as he was finally able to think of something besides Harry and his stupid smile.

He realized with a start that he and Harry had never coordinated their dress robes. Draco's were black, made out of velvet, and with a high collar. His father had gotten them custom made for him the second he had found out the Triwizard Tournament was occuring.

When he looked in the mirror after changing, he felt a little more confident, as if the robes were a shield. Blaise patted him on the back. "You look good, Draco."

Draco inclined his head and headed down to the common room.

It was buzzing with excitement. Couples were seeing each other for the first time, and there were quite a few who were making out in the corners of the common room.

Pansy ran up to Draco, her pale pink robes trailing behind her.

"Excited?" She grinned.

"Nervous." Draco whispered, low enough so no one could hear. The common room was so loud that no one could've heard him in his normal voice, but it was good to take precautions.

"I wonder why." Pansy laughed, looking around. When Draco followed suit, he was pleasantly surprised by the lack of stares. For the past week, anywhere Draco went, he had been stared at. It was refreshing to have everyone so invested in their own lives that they weren't nosing into Draco's. "Let's go," Pansy gestured, and they walked out the door, heading towards the great hall.

The funny feeling in Draco's stomach had mounted the closer they came to the doors. He was even starting to worry that Harry would think he looked ridiculous in his robes, even though he thought he looked quite handsome, if he did say so himself.

"Good luck," Pansy said as she walked away to find Blaise, leaving Draco standing alone awkwardly.

He fiddled with his hands for a few moments, not sure what exactly to do. He peered into the Great Hall in an attempt to look busy, but the flickering lights (why did everything have to be so romantic?) and loving couples made him queasy.

From behind him, he heard a tentative voice call, "Draco?"