Stay || Draco Malfoy

one

December 1994

It was snowing this morning. I had woken up to Parvati's ecstatic shrieks of delight this morning and as soon as I had opened my eyes, I saw all the white pouring in from the windows. I had run to the window and shrieked right along with Parvati, Lavender, Hermione. I had never seen snow so thick, or fluffy looking in my life. It blanketed over the Hogwarts grounds and trees, making the whole world look white and fresh. A couple of people were already clustered in groups outside, playing in the snow and building forts in the area just below the window in my dormitory. It truly was a Christmas miracle.

After changing into our robes, Hermione and I went down to breakfast, chatting excitedly about the upcoming event: The Yule Ball. We sat down next to Ron and Harry at the Gryffindor table and they joined in our conversation.

I was just leaving the Great Hall when someone tapped me on the shoulder. It was a Slytherin boy named Blaise Zabini who was in my year. He grinned confidently at me and asked, "Will you go to the Yule Ball with me? I heard you say that you didn't have a date."

Looking back at that moment, I should've said no, but standing in front of me was a perfectly nice boy who was willing to go to the dance with me, even if he did eavesdrop on my conversation. I had already been asked by a third-year Ravenclaw that I didn't know and a Hufflepuff in year six. This boy was a much better choice than the others, and I didn't want to go alone, so I had willingly agreed.

If only I had known that there was something – no, someone – better out there.

"Hermione – who are you going to the ball with?" Ron asked eagerly one evening as we were all eating dinner. It was the day before the Yule Ball, and the Great hall was filled with joyful chatter and holiday spirit. I could feel the happiness all around.

Ron had asked this question several times, always receiving the same answer. I think he was secretly hoping that she wasn't going with anyone so they could go together. Hermione frowned and said, "I'm not telling you; you'll just make fun of me."

I already knew who it was because I had been there when Viktor asked her. I promised her I wouldn't tell Ron though.

"You're joking, Weasley!" a loud voice said from behind us. I turned around to see Malfoy smirking boorishly. "You're not telling me someone's asked that to the ball? Not the long-molared Mudblood?"

I stood up angrily and was about to tell him to shut his mouth, but Hermione said loudly, waving to somebody over Malfoy's shoulder, "Hello, Professor Moody!"

The little colour Malfoy had drained from his face as he jumped backwards, looking wildly around for Professor Moody, who was still finishing up his stew with the other staff members. I laughed, nearly choking on my food at the absurd expression on Malfoy's face.

"Twitchy little ferret, aren't you, Malfoy?" said Hermione sardonically, and she walked towards the marble staircase laughing heartily. "Are you coming, Delilah?" she asked me, right after I noticed Blaise Zabini waving at me from behind her. I shook my head and got up from my seat to go talk to him.

"Hey," Blaise said when I reached him. "I was just wondering what colour your dress robes are. I mean, it would be pretty stupid if we wore totally different robes when everyone else is probably matching, but I suppose we wouldn't be able to do anything about it anyway. Why did they tell us to buy the dress robes before we got our partners? What if we wanted to match? If only they had said something about the –"

He probably realises he's rambling because he stops in the middle of the sentence and flushes slightly.

"Green," I said. "Emerald green."