when a fire starts to burn | draco malfoy

CHAPTER 14

Shortly after I meet Cedric in front of the Great Hall, we are whisked away with the other champions and their dates by Professor McGonagall. Hermione is beaming at Krum, who is staring at her as if she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. She catches my eye and my heart swells at the genuine look of excitement on her face.

To my left is Harry and his date, Parvati. Harry looks quite handsome in his suit but I can't help but observe that the boy was in desperate need of a haircut.

"Olive," Harry says when he sees me looking. "You look beautiful."

I blush slightly. "Thank you, Harry. You look rather dashing yourself."

Harry smiles at me before a look of realization sweeps over his face when he sees who I'm standing next to. "You're Cedrics date? How did I not know -"

"Because I didn't tell you, silly."

Harry rolls his eyes and laughs and I focus my attention back to Cedric. McGonagall was beginning to explain to the lot of us how we would enter and the first dance would begin. Nerves surged in my stomach at the thought that I would soon be dancing in front of not only all of Hogwarts, but Durmstrang and Beauxbatons as well.

Cedric must sense my nerves because he grabs my hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. "I'll be with you the whole time, Olive."

A few seconds later, the doors to the Great Hall open up, revealing our transformed dining hall, glimmering with icicles and mistletoe. The house tables have been removed and dozens smaller ones take their place, a single lantern placed in the middle of each. They are placed around a dance floor in the center of the room where Professor Flitwick is conducting a string quartet.

It was the most magical and extravagant party I had ever seen.

With my hand still in Cedrics, we begin making our way into the room. Applause rises as we make our way down an aisle, students on either side of us, watching our every move. I scan my eyes and find Ron with his date, Padma. I stifle a laugh as I see the boy dressed in his absolutely ridiculous robes but he doesn't seem to notice, his eyes trained on Hermione and Krum with his mouth slightly agape.

As Cedric and I make our way to the center of the dance floor, Flitwick raises his baton and the rest of the hall goes silent. Cedric grabs my waist and I put my arm on his shoulder. When he grabs my other hand, he gives it another gentle squeeze.

"You ready?" He asks softly.

"As ready as I'll ever be."

Music envelops the hall and I let my feet guide me. One step becomes two steps and soon, the thought of hundreds of students' eyes on me is lost in my mind. Cedric and I sweep past Harry and Parvati, looking like they're a beat or two behind, and then we come across Hermione and Krum, who are grinning and giggling like crazy.

My eyes shift to Cedrics and I grin happily at him.

"This isn't as bad as I thought," I admit.

Cedric chuckles and swiftly spins me around. I land back in his strong arms. After a few more minutes of us dancing, we are soon joined by Dumbledore leading Professor McGonagall onto the dance floor. Soon, most professor and staff are partnered up and on the floor, causing the students to start joining in as well. I watch as Neville whisks Ginny onto the floor and am impressed when I see he only steps on her feet a few times.

I frown when I catch a glimpse of Draco, leading none other than Pansy, onto the floor. Pansy is staring at him as if he were the most incredible thing she had ever seen but Draco is hardly phased. In fact, he looks quite irritated.