The Winter Ball

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A dance was asked for so here you go! The first dance of Hogwarts!

::"You can call me any thing you want...but when you say that to her..." fred said as he kicked Draco.::

Draco pulled his fist back and punched Fred hard in the jaw "Touch me again, Weasley and you'll wish you never met me. Crabbe! Goyle! Get over here!" Draco shouted motioning his two goons over.

::Lavender was surprised as Malfoy helped her up, but she wouldn't forgive him that easily. She helped Katie off of the floor and shook her head at Malfoy::

"Thanks Katie, but I honestly think he's not worth it.Take Fred to the Hospital Wing, he needs it" ::Stepping away from her friend, she stood between Fred and Malfoy.::

"Fred, I need to talk to him, go with Katie." ::the brunette said, turning to Malfoy:: "Why did you do that?"

~Draco looked to Lavander and raised a brow. He sent his goons away and then folded his arms looking to her~ "Why did I do what?" He asked sharply.~

"The tissue thing, helping me up. Pardon me, but it doesn't seem like something a Slytherin would do." Lavender asked, folding her arms as well. She tossed her head and muttered.

"Anyways, thanks. But Katie's right, I'm not going to up and forgive you for what you did."

~Draco nodded "Well, I think I went a little too far. I apologize. If you change your mind, I'll be around." he mumbled and slowly turned and went back to the Great Hall.~

::Lily really DID love food. but what she would love more was finding a way back to her own time::

::"I am fine Katie," Fred said. He then walked over to Draco. "Malofy...I am sorry," He said as he turned around and walked away::

:Katie just watched as Fred run in, beat the pulp out of Draco, and ran back out..She sighed and looked out the way Fred left.:

~Draco returned to the Great Hall with his goons who rushed over to eat again. "Glutonous oafs.." He muttered to himself as he straightend his bow tie. Then he calmly scanned the room. But as he took a few steps forward he nearly tripped over something. Looking to the floor, Draco saw a silk scarf. He reached down and picked it up. It was a bit sticky and smelled of peaches. Then he realized whose its was. Lavander's. He pulled out his wand, muttered ''scourgify'' and watched it become clean again. *She might want this.* He thought. Then he slowly turned on his heel and walked back out of the Great Hall and up to the Gryffindor common room, hoping he'd catch Lavander before she went inside~
~Seeing her still there, he walked right up to her again. "I believe this is yours..." He held out the silk scarf to her.~

::Lavender opened the portrait and was about to step inside when she heard footsteps behind her. She heard footsteps echoing on the marble floors behind her, and smiling slightly, she turned around, thinking that it was Katie. However, Lavender was surprised when she saw that it was Malfoy, and not Katie, her smile faltered slightly.::

"Malfoy, what're you doing here?" ::Lavender asked, shutting the portrait, much to the annoyance of the Fat Lady::

~~Draco looked to Lavander. "I want to apologize and well ask you to come back to the ball. I don't have anyone so perhaps you would like to be my date?" He asked raising a brow at her.~

::Lavender thought for a moment, and then shook her head.::

"No thanks, Malfoy. I'm rather tired and quite frankly the Ball bored me. I'm going to go sleep." ::she opened up the portrait hole and walked in, shutting it behind her.::

~He snorted and rolled his eyes.~ "Oh well, back to the party" He then turned and shrugged. "Well I see what actually acting nice gets me." He grumbled as he walked back to the ball.~

::Lavender began walking up the steps to the girl's dorms, thinking about what had just happened. She had just turned down a date-and, that was what she had wanted, wasn't it? A chance to prove to Ron that she was perfectly fine without him. But, with Draco Malfoy? She hated him! Didn't she? But he had been nice to her and...::

"Ugh!"::she cried in the middle of the Common Room, causing several paintings to stare. Lavender walked back to the portrait hole and flung the painting open.::

"Draco!" ::she called out, her brunette curls spilling over onto her shoulders.::

~He turned slowly-like in slow motion- his blond hair fluttering slightly as his grayish-blue eyes lifted to see who had called to him~
~He was a little shocked to see that it was Lavander and shot her a confused questioning look.~

"Lavander..." ~He breathed slowly, just above a whisper as she walked towards him.~

::Lavender swallowed hard, wondering again if she should really be doing this. She reminded herself that he was a Slytherin, he had dumped peach juice on her, but he had seemed genuinely sorry and she felt bad sending him back to the dance and...all of a sudden she was right in front of him.::

"Oh, um, hello." ::the brunette began awkwardly. She took a deep breath, closing her blue eyes to gather whatever dignity and courage she had left.:: "I was wondering if your offer still stands." ::Lavender slowly opened her eyes and looked up at him,::

~He looked at her a moment his brows furrowing as he contemplated what to say. Under normal circumstances he'd simply scoff at her and walk away rudely~

~But no, for once decided to not stoop that low and his expression softened~

"It does." he said in a low voice as his eyes lowered.~

~Slowly he extended his hand to her~
"Shall we?" ~he asked, as a slight smile actually played at the corner of his mouth~

::She looked at his hand, as if deciding to go ahead with this decision, or turn back now. But no, Lavender reached out her hand and placed it in his.::

"Lead the way." ::Lavender said with a small smile.::

~He smiled and held her hand as they returned back to the ball.~

"By the way, you look lovely tonight." He smiled then chuckled and added. "Of course, I do miss that peachy aroma that you were wearing."

::Lily Evans Waltzed around the room with a random guy because she was really bored one day and had nothing better to do than to post::

(lol Lifey :D)

::Lavender rolled her eyes::

"Yes, well, I found that it was a bit strong," ::she said as they neared the Great Hall.:: "But if you like it so much I suppose I could give you some."

~He chuckled as they entered the Great Hall~ "Well, I don't like it that much." He chuckled as he opened the door for her.

"Ladies first.." he gestured with a slight bow.~

::She smiled::

"I thought so," ::the brunette raised her eyes at him suspiciously, as if expected there to be another bowl of peach juice behind his back. Having satisfied herself enough that there was in fact, no peaches, Lavender stepped into the Great Hall once more::

~Draco followed Lavander into the hall and stood looking around.~

"Hmm...it's a lot more crowded now." He commented then smirked. "Oh well, at least now we can allow everyone to adore us." He bragged as he looked to her with a half smile.~

~Then he reached down and took her hand in his as they walked through the crowd of people, making their way to the dance floor.~

::Lavender rolled her eyes at Draco and commented::

"My, you are a bit of an arrogant git aren't you?" ::She did however, not twist her hand out of his, and allowed herself to be led to the dance floor. Although Lavender was slightly unnerved by all the people staring at them, she felt much more at ease than she had been by herself at the ball.::

"Arrogance is bliss and shows those who are not as superior, to be put in their places"

~Tearing his gaze from the sea of the crowd, he then stepped closer to Lavander~

Allowing his to meet hers, he placed one hand on her hip the other he slowly moved up and clasped fingers with those on her other hand~

"Now, let's see if you can actually keep up with my dance moves." He said; it being his way of asking her to dance without sounding too nice.
He also said it in a way that was partially sincere and partially a challenge.~

"I thought it was ignorance was bliss, and who said you're superior enough to put others into their places?"

::Lavender snapped. She quieted down when Draco took her hand and placed his on her waist. She tightened her grip on his and moved her other hand to just behind the shoulder of his back.::

"Okay, but what makes you think you're leading?" ::The brunette challenged with a slight grin:: "And, if by some chance you do lead, who's to say you can't keep up with me?"

~They danced across the floor in an elegant waltz, as they continued their conversation~

"Well, you're not doing too badly, though it is because I am taking it easy on you." He bragged proudly and he spun Lavander around.~

"I'm sure that you prefer me to lead anyway, so that you don't have to." He said dipping her and pulling her back up as they went round and round, looking as though they were pros at dancing together; catching many eyes of their fellow schoolmates as they did so.~

~He spun her again and as she returned back to him, their dance began to speed up a little bit~

::Lavender easily kept up with the dance, having waltzed with Seamus at the Yule Ball in her fourth year. She had to admit, Draco was a much better dancer than he was::

"Hm, not bad yourself Mr. Malfoy. But I won't settle for anything less than your best,"::she rolled her eyes and let herself be spun around.::

"How thoughtful, thinking of me. I didn't know you had it in you" ::Her brown hair swung around her like a curtain, and when he dipped her, it nearly touched the floor-of course, if it had, Lavender would've had a fit::

"Hm, a faster tempo, it's about time"

"The best is all I can offer" He replied as they fell into a tango dance, with the music carrying them right along through every step.~

~He hated to admit it but he was having a really good time dancing with Lavander and of course showing off that he was the best dancer there- but that was just how he was~

~He twirled her round and round then another dip and up, their feet falling into the perfect rhythem with each other.~

"You're starting to impress me just a little." He admitted as the tempo picked up a little more.~

"Right..." ::Lavender replied in a tone that said she was doubting what he was saying. When the dance moved into the tango, she was a bit surprised at how smoothly he went through the transition::

"I take it you've done this before?" ::she whispered when she came up again after he had dipped her. The brunette rolled her eyes and sighed::

"Only a little?"

~He chuckled~ "Okay maybe I've done this once before." He playfully lied as they danced.

"A little...hmm..perhaps a little more than just a little." ~he commented twirling her around and then pulling her back to him~

::Lavender pushed herself away from Draco slightly::

"Now now, aren't we getting a bit close, Mr. Malfoy?" ::She smiled slightly at him as they continued through the steps, which were, once more, picking up.::

"Getting tired yet?"

"I never tire of winning a competition." He bragged keeping in step with the faster beat. ~

~Though he was feeling a bit winded he didn't dare admit that. After all, he couldn't let her show him up.~

"Competition? I don't believe it was ever decided that we were competing?" ::Lavender said, slightly out of breath. She moved her feet faster, making sure to stay directly in time, if she made the slightest mistake, Draco would definitely know, and then she'd never hear the end of it.::

~He couldn't slow down now, especially if they were in competition with each other~

"Well perhaps we are competing, after all you are trying very hard not to show your exhaustion." He pointed out with a smirk~

"And I'm rather surprised I haven't tired you out. As for me, well I could go on like this for hours" he lied.

Gilderoy Lockhart, in all his deranged splendor, waltzed into the Great Hall clad in periwinkle robes and his award winning smile. "My I love dances!" He looked thoughtful a moment (a hard task for Lockhart)"But that's because I'm so great!" He nodded to himself approvingly.He pranced directly to the middle of the dance floor and grinned looking about. "Time to show these kids what dancing is all about!" And, looking much like a drugged monkey, he began to waltz by himself in the middle of the mass of students.

::Lavender looked indignant::

"Me? Get tired? Please, I used to take dance up until I was 11, and now I take it during the summer. And what do you do as a sport? You fly around on a broom, there's no way those spindly legs of yours can dance for hours," ::she took in a breath and forced her legs to remain tight and precise in their movements, without any weakness.::

"Because, honestly, I'm surprised I haven't tired you out,"

::Ron walked in, shuffling his feet as he adjusted his 2nd hand robes. Thankfully they were not all frilly and lacey; but a bit more proper for the occasion.

"I can't believe I'm even here." He mumbled and then stopped as his gaze snapped to the familiar couple in the middle of the dancefloor.

"Lavander and ...Malfoy?" He muttered in disbelief.

They looked to be having a good time. Ron wandered around then stopped again as he spotted...Gildaroy Lockhart?

He blinked then continued to look around wondering where Harry and Hermione were.::

::Lavender heard someone loudly enter the Great Hall and smiled to herself. It was Ron, the whole reason she had come to the Ball. To prove to Ron that she was fine without him. She turned to Malfoy and purposefully leaned in closer to him again.::

"So, do you know any other sorts of dances?" ::The brunette asked, whispering into his ear.::

::Lily Evans continued to mingle with friends....although considering she knew none of them and none of them seemed to be interested in her, that was proving difficult::

Lockhart continued to waltz about like a mad man "showing off" to the students and staff. He wore that same rather stupid grin upon his face as he went, but as he twirled himself about his eyes fell upon a young red headed witch who seemed to be having a rather difficult time mingling with the crowd. He stopped waltzing with himself and appraoched Lily Evans. "Good evening? Having a good time are you?!" He was really rather overly excited about being at a highschool like dance...rather embarassing really, but that was to the rest of the world...in Lockheart's world...he was being normal. He looked as if he may burst with anticipation, a shaky hand ready to whip out his quill and a photo.

::She smiled::

"Alright, only i'm supposed to be dead and i'm rather older than most here" ::She gestured around to the crowd of students::

"you?" ::she asked:: "nice dancing by the way" ::she grinned and helped herself to some butterbeer::

"Pity it's a school dance" ::she said gesturing to the non alcoholic drinks:: "actually i'm supprised no one's spiked it yet."

"Oh, well that does put a damper on things, doesn't it?" He smiled and looked about at the students. "Yes, pity...I once taught here....I think...so I am told. " He grinned his rather stupid smile. "Say...didn't you marry James Potter?" He raised what he thought to be a charming brow and conjured a glass of wine, sipping it. Lockhart was quite...off since he was jinxed by Harry and Ron...darn it all.

~Draco swallowed nervously as Lavander moved closer to him~ Though he kept his composure, he was taken a little off guard at her sudden interest in being close to him.~

"So, do you know any other sorts of dances?" she had whispered softlly as her breath had blown lightly against his ear making him shiver slightly.~

~After falling silent for a moment, he also leaned towards her~
"What sort of dances did you have in mind?" he asked his voice just above a whisper.~Then the music slowed and Draco was glad; it gave him a chance to rest somewhat for he was indeed feeling winded.~

~He took one of her hands into his and his other hand he placed on her waist. His eyes studied hers as they fell into a slow dance. Her eyes were soft and looked as though they were sparkling. He found then to be most exquisite, and he slowly twirled her around and gently pulled her back to him~

"I have to admit, I haven't had this much fun being around a Gryffindor before..well besides teasing Granger, and Potter and ..Weasel." He said arrogantly, sporting a proud grin.~

er....yes i did.

::she said eyeing the poor fellow and conjuring her own glass of wine::

he couldn't make it it seems though.

"Ah...lovely!" Yes...Lockhart was a bright little crayon, wasn't he? He chuckled uneasily and sipped his wine. "So...having a...good time?" Lockhart wasn't oven uneasy, but when he actually didn't have something "witty" to say...he was a rambling git.

"I supposed, although i'd like more people to talk to, and i'm dreadfully worried about harry's reaction when he sees me....you?" she asked sipping from her glass.

He shifted uneasily and grinned stupidly. "Well, considering that you are suppose to be dead I do think that that would be a bit of a stick problem." He downs his wine and nodded as if approving the delerium of the situation.