LOVE AT FIRST PUNCH

Chapter 8 (H)

Narcissa Malfoy's closet was a treasure trove. Draco stood off to the side, observing Hermione as she went through his moms old dresses. Narcissa entered the room and Malfoy left, leaving Hermione and Narcissa to choose a dress. Draco wandered back to his room and climbed into his bed, pulling the duvet over his head. Draco was exhausted. He had arrived home at five AM, there was the whole Hermione thing, and he had gotten up for a late breakfast after getting barely two hours of sleep. Draco threw aside his throw pillows, attempting to get comfortable. He was finally able to relax and as he drifted off to sleep he realized that his pillow smelled like Hermione's hair. Malfoy smiled and drifted away into another world.

"WAKE UP!" Malfoy sat up with a start, rubbing his head. Hermione had thrown several books at him, in attempts to wake him up. "Are you a rock?" Hermione said, exasperated.

"What are you doing here?!" Draco exclaimed.

"It's supper, idiot. You slept through the entire rest of the morning and the afternoon," Hermione said. Malfoy threw aside his covers and walked up to Hermione.

"Let's go then," Draco ran his hand through his hair, smoothing out the bedhead. Hermione couldn't help but sharply inhale when she realized how close Malfoy was standing to her. He seemed to notice too, but he didn't step away.

"Quit fraternizing and come eat!" Bellatrix called up the stairs. Hermione stared into Malfoy's face before turning on her heels and strutting out of the room. Hermione Granger had style, there was no denying it.

"FINALLY. What in the world were you two doing up there?" Bellatrix said mischievously.

"Draco was practically out cold. Took forever to wake him up," Hermione pulled out a chair and sat at the table.

"He's always been a deep sleeper," Lucius added offhandedly. Malfoy rolled his eyes and sat down.

"I have something to say," Narcissa announced. She and Bellatrix exchanged glances. Lucius folded his hands and looked at his wife. Hermione and Draco glanced at each other before quickly turning away.

"The time of the masquerade ball has been changed," Narcissa said. Draco put his face in his hands.

"Don't tell me it's tonight or some rubbish like that."

"It's tomorrow," Bellatrix said with a grin.

"WHAT?!" Draco exclaimed.

"It is technically tomorrow... Narcissa and I have decided to hold it at three AM this morning," Lucius said.

"Why?" Hermione inquired, wondering what on earth was with this family and staying up all night. Maybe Slytherins were nocturnal.

"You people are insane," Draco huffed.

"Thank you," Bellatrix replied.

Dinner was eaten in silence and Draco and Hermione went up to their separate bedrooms right after they were excused.