Hufflepuff In The Family

I Need a Date

Dear Diary

The first task was a few weeks ago and it was insane! Harry nearly died fighting the dragon. But that's not even the worst part. Up until a couple of days ago, my idiot twin brother refused to talk to him. I ended up being a stupid messenger between the two of them, it was pathetic.

Anyway, after that was over and done with, we got the worst news since finding out Harry was competing in this stupid competition in the first place: there's going to be a ball.

We have to get all dressed up and dance in front of everyone! It's in less than a week and no one has asked me yet. There someone I'd hoped would ask me but every time I talked to him, he'd make up some lame excuse to go somewhere.

Today, I was in the library looking for some peace and quiet when I was jump scared by a hand tapping on my shoulder.

I spun quickly to see a blonde-haired boy in a silver and green tie, smirking down at me. I rolled my eyes as dramatically as I could and returned to my book, hoping he'd leave me alone. No such luck.

Malfoy pulled out the chair beside me and sat far too close for my liking. "What do you want, Malfoy?" I demanded. He slapped a hand to his chest in mock hurt.

"What on earth makes you think I want something, Weasley?" He returned.

"Well, let's think... You frequently make fun of my brother, my family and my house, you ridicule my friends and you just plain bully Harry and Hermione. So why on earth would I expect you to be talking to me, simply out of the goodness of your heart?"

"Good point, Regina I'll give you that one. However, I have a proposition for you," he smiled, dangerously.

"Not interested." I stood up, ready to leave but he shot up, blocking my exit.

"That's rather rude of you. You see, we're nearing the Yule Ball and I hear from my fellow Slytherins that you are yet to get a date. Kelly is going with Becki and, if my sources are correct, Danielle is going with Finnegan. So, I propose we go together."

I stared at him blankly for a few moments and then burst into laughter. I doubled over, unable to control the laughs. After a good few moments, I stood up wiping the tears from my eyes only to see his deadly serious look on the Slytherin's face.

"You're kidding, like you're actually joking right? Why, why on earth, would I go with you?!"

"Well, for one it'll piss the hell out of your brother and we all know that's something you can't resist and it'll make your several suitors who are far too afraid to ask you go mad with jealousy especially Potter," he winked at me and I fought the urge to throw up right there. "Ah and I'm not a terrible dancer which is more than I can say for Potter, Broadmont and Diggory."

"Oh please, Jacob is not a suitor."

"Ah so you admit the other two are."

I considered the boy in front of me for a moment. On the one hand, I hated him and everything he stood for. His father was always attacking mine and I could barely think of one redeemable quality he had. On the other, I really really did not want to go to that ball alone and I couldn't run the risk that neither Harry nor Cedric would ask me.

"What's in it for you?" I returned. There was no way he was doing this out of the goodness of his heart and I refused to agree until I knew what he wanted in return.

"Well, for one I get to spend the evening with a girl who isn't exactly hideous,"

"Charming." I rolled my eyes.

"And for another, it'll drive golden boy mad and I never pass up an opportunity for that."

"My family are going to slaughter me," I whispered, more to myself then him.

"So what I'm hearing is..."

"Fine," I bit out, hating the word. "But we need some ground rules." His eyes glinted mischievously.

***

As I returned to my common room, my skin crawled. There was no denying that Draco was handsome, I mean he just had this allure that I couldn't help but find attractive. 

The second I got through the portrait, my best friend instincts kicked in and I knew I had to find Kelly and Danni and tell them the disaster I'd just agreed to.

It took a couple minutes but eventually I located them in the far corner, in our favourite armchairs. I asked a first year who was sat in mine to give us a minute and I immediately told them what I'd done. I watched their friendly smiles slowly drain as the tale unfolded.

"Wha... I... Why?" Kelly spluttered. Danni just sat there, with a puzzled look on her face although that was the same look she seemed to undertake most days.

"I mean I see why," Danni muttered.

"What?! You agree with this insanity? You're telling me that you were almost guaranteed a date with either of the Hogwarts champions and you said yes to MALFOY?!"

"You can't talk!" I argued. "You have had a date secured since the words 'ball' fell from McGonagall's mouth whereas the two boys I thought would ask me have chickened out until now so I had to do something."

"Ron's going to kill you," was all Kelly said in response.

"Well he once killed my pet spider when we were 12, this is just revenge." 

A/N 

Sorry it's been while, but I have been absolutely swamped but I promise to update as often as I can! Thank you guys so much for reading.