Fierce and feisty

A Ball to Plan?

Draco's eyebrows furrowed in thought, as he sat in the Great Hall, having his breakfast. He still didn't understand what Granger and the Headmistress were talking about. He racked his brains for an answer. What was so important that had Granger all teary-eyed and hugging the old coot?

He made it his business to know. He glared hard at Blaise, who was busy flirting with Pansy, as if the answer was written on his face. He clicked when he remembered the other night in the Room of Requirement. Of course! No doubt the old coot would grant permission to her dearie Gryffindork to go to the Ministry.

He saw that he had already finished everything on his plate and stood abruptly, almost knocking off Blaise's tumbler of pumpkin juice. He saw Blaise follow him as he billowed out of the Great Hall.

"Mate, what's wrong?"

Looking as the mask of indifference Draco displayed, he sighed. "Yes let's just skip that part where you act as if nothing is wrong. You were glaring at me throughout breakfast. I am not ignorant."

"Look, mate, I... uh... appreciate what you're trying to do here."Draco practically forced out. He wasn't used to being expressive with his mates. "Believe me, I'll tell you when it's time. Right now, I think I'd go practice for Quiddtich and then head to sign the documents for the new deals."

"What did Narcissa say in the letter, by the way?"

"Nothing that's your business," he replied with sudden coldness. Blaise levelled him with a look and Draco sighed. "Okay, yeah, Mother wrote about some business problems, not much. It's nothing important."

Blaise was clearly not buying it.

"She's also redecorating the manor and already has a dozen marriage proposals ready for me. Probably to bombard me with them after graduation."

"I'm guessing, pure-blooded woman slags that want to be the Malfoy heiress with access to the enormous Malfoy vaults?" Blaise drawled.

Draco nodded, "Pretty much so. And with that last question, I actually have some work to do."

Blaise grinned as Draco turned and walked down the empty corridor and shouted, "Shagging girls is pretty hard work, and you know it!"

Draco smirked, "You got only one, and at that Pansy, lover boy! She'll take your eyes out if you so much as look at another woman!"

Blaise paled as he remembered that Pansy was still waiting for him and hurried down the other side of the corridor.

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Draco felt the winds lift up his spirits. He had been very busy lately, already having so much work, plus his personal problems did not help. He was infatuated with Granger, could not so much as think of other witches leave alone shag them, he slept properly last night and his Mother was already preparing for his marriage. Could anymore person be more confused than me right now? What could be worse?

And he spoke too early. Draco saw the familiar figure of the Headmistress walking on the Quidditch Pitch. He knew no one was around, he had seen that already, so was the old hag here for him? He reluctantly flew down and got off his broom.

"Mr. Malfoy. Quite a nice weather to practice I see." Without waiting for a reply (not that Draco was going to give her one), she continued, " I must inform you of a change in plans."

What plans? He saw Blaise running towards them.

"Ah Mr. Zabini. Took you quite a while to reach here. However boys, as Captain for he Slytherin Quidditch Team and Head Boy this year, I have to tell you that your match has been postponed  to next Friday." She waved her hand at Zabini who was trying to express his mortification.

"And where does my duty as Head Boy stand in this?"Draco questioned albeit a little rudely. However, McGonagall seemed unfazed by his tone.

"Mr. Malfoy you have to, along with Miss Granger, plan for a little ball coming Wednesday. It totally flew out of my mind that I had promised this to the Minister to come honor the sacrifices made. I apologize for any inconvenience caused to you."

"No, Headmistress, not at all." Blaise fake-smiled. Draco saw right through him and smirked. Blaise took a few steps back as McGonagall then turned to Draco.

"Mr.Malfoy you are free to bring a date to the ball, but the opening dance must be with Miss Granger. I hope you know the steps? Miss Granger is well enough but she needs to be polished. Do take some lessons this week with her and teach her about the dance, yes?"

Draco's smirk turned devilish and he nodded sincerely. Blaise immediately recognized the glint in his eyes. "I will now take your leave boys, I must inform the Ravenclaw captain of this too."

As McGonagall walked away from them, Blaise turned to Draco. "You are planning on seducing Granger?"he whispered furiously.

Draco leaned against a nearby tree as his gaze met Blaise's. "Yes," was his simple answer. Blaise knew it was no use of talking to him now. Blaise wasn't even sure Granger was worth it. Everyone knew she did not have what it took to be attractive. She just did not have the curves.

Draco smiled gleefully to himself. Granger could also bring a date, so what? No one in the school knew or saw what he could in the Head dorms. Granger was absolutely delectable, and the irony was, no one knew! Oh, he was so going to flaunt her on his arm in the Ball! It will be his very first step.