Chapter Text
Hermione Granger stepped down the grand staircase. She adorned herself in an elegant light blue strapless dress that reached her knees and flared out. She sported white butterfly wings on the back of her dress that flapped with each step. The masquerade mask she wore gleamed silver, adorned with shimmering white gems in the light. Hermione’s brunette curls transformed into an elegant chignon, accompanied by a sunflower clipped into the side of a knot and a few curls tucked behind her ears. She was a beautiful enigma and hardly recognized her own reflection. She utilized a glamour charm on herself to conceal her identity. She wanted to spend the evening enjoying herself and meeting a new friend she had been corresponding with.
Tonight, a costume-themed dance was scheduled to take place in the Great Hall. This event had been arranged a week before an important Quidditch match, with the intention of keeping all players focused on the field according to Professor McGonagall’s wishes. They had not previously experienced a dance aligning with a major Quidditch match. The Hogwarts faculty organized other activities scheduled throughout the week, but the dance stood out as the biggest event. The Headmistress thought it would be a pleasant gathering where all the houses had the opportunity to mingle together and get to know each other more. The elderly witch arranged for the expansive room to be decorated, with all tables relocated to accommodate waltzes and the courtyard outside illuminated for those who wished to dance beneath the stars.
This allowed Hermione to stray away from her usual friend group. She had been corresponding with an unfamiliar student in the castle. “A way to unify the houses”, as Professor McGonagall had put it. For those who endured the battle at Hogwarts. Hermione and this mystery male student shared their hopes and dreams, and confided secrets between them. They had developed a strong bond with each other yet were not permitted to use their real names, only their pen names. They refrained from providing excessive personal information, making it difficult to identify them. He proposed that they meet at the dance tonight. What better way to introduce themselves in person?
Ron Weasley failed to inquire until the night before if she had a date. Hermione lied to him, pretending she had no interest in going to the dance and was too busy with her studies to take part. Truthfully she didn’t want to go through the same heartache she went through during their Fourth Year at the Yule Ball. She will always remember the tears shed that night and the bitterness that remained in her heart until now.
Her independence grew since they returned to Hogwarts for their Eighth Year. She didn’t remain consistently grouped with the boys, only remembered as a member of the Golden Trio. Hermione selected extra classes and dedicated herself to completing the ones she missed in her Seventh Year. She willingly agreed to participate in the letter-exchange program, fully aware that she might never discover the identity of her pen pal if their secret meeting hadn’t been arranged.
Upon the initial announcement for the dance during an evening meal, the subsequent letter she received happened to be an invitation to be his partner for it. Hermione experienced a pleasant surprise, but she eagerly accepted his offer in her next correspondence. She felt like she had formed a strong connection with him, transcending his past or family. He had put such a strong emphasis on his future. She frequently pondered in her classes who the person might be and if they were sitting just a desk away.
Every person halted to look in her direction as she walked onto the main floor before the Great Hall. The icy blue fabric of her dress appeared to shimmer in the light of the enchanted torches. No one recognized Hermione and that’s how she liked it. No one bombarding her with questions, no one making her feel bad for being happy and excited about having a good time, not feeling like a last resort amongst her friends. She genuinely hadn’t let go of her hard lesson from the previous ball.
Hermione approached the doors to the Great Hall, where an elegant winter wonderland had truly been created. The white and blue theme flowed seamlessly through the banners and the decor. The falling snow glittered in the light of the floating candles above the dancers. She stood next to a whimsical ice sculpture of a swan waiting for her mystery partner to appear.
“You look absolutely stunning tonight, have you been waiting long?” Hermione glanced behind her to see Cormac McLaggen lumbering up to her in a puffy white shirt and black pants. His wiry hair seemed to have been tamed tonight beneath a black sombrero cordobas and his costume had all the elements, including a simple black mask. Her fellow Gryffindor always used his size to intimidate anyone shorter than him and Hermione had to hold herself back from shrinking physically away from the intolerable man.
Hermione’s heart sank in her chest, as she panicked with despair, questioning if really had been exchanging letters with Cormac this entire time? She recognized his snide tone immediately. He displayed arrogance and presumed entitlement to whatever he desired at the moment. “No, not waiting long at all,” she said cautiously. She held a hopeful belief that he had changed, possibly gaining a greater understanding of others’ emotions following the War. It’s possible that he wasn’t truly absorbed in himself like the Greek God, Narcissus.
“Care to dance?” He asked, holding out his right hand for her to take as he bowed before her. His hat dropped and his black cape seemed to engulf him as he bowed. She reached for his hand but hesitation paused her hand and she whispered, “Dragon Rider?” Cormac lifted his head up to look at her, a perplexed expression on his face, “Is that a pet name for me? Who told you that?”
Hermione withdrew her hand fully. Something didn’t feel right to her. “You aren’t actually Dragon Rider, are you?” The Gryffindor boy grinned like he was trying to flirt and said, “I could be.” Then a familiar voice spoke up above the room chatter and her heart began to pound as she heard, “Sunflower Girl.”
Cormac looked behind her before he took a step back. “Sod off Malfoy, I saw her first! We were just about to dance.” Draco took a step forward and said silkily, “I think you had her believing you were someone you weren’t, McLaggen. Run along. Hermione couldn’t prevent a blush from spreading across her cheeks as she turned to see him wearing a dark green cloak, a white lace long-sleeve puffy shirt, tight-fitting black leather pants, and black boots that reached halfway up his leg, stopping just below the knees.
Cormac said through gritted teeth, “You think you can just take what you want? You aren’t as powerful as you think you are, Malfoy.” Draco glanced over to Cormac with his cold steely gray eyes. “I’m not taking anything, you attempted to pull my friend who was waiting for me away.”
“She appeared ready to dance with me, doesn’t sound like a loyal friend to me,” Cormac scoffed. Hermione found her voice, “You led me believe you were someone you aren’t. You were playing along when I asked you who you were,” She took a step towards Draco and placed a hand on his forearm. She hesitated to stand by his side, but considering how Cormac had attempted to deceive her, she preferred to take her chances with the former Death Eater. “You should have found a date sooner and not wait till the last minute,” Hermione told him coldly.
Cormac huffed and said sarcastically, “Not like I wanted to dance with someone so easy.” Cormac turned away and Draco took a step forward to follow after him only to have Hermione grab hold of his hand. “He’s not worth it, Draco,” she uttered softly. Draco’s attention fell onto the young woman before him and he quirked a brow.
She sensed his typically chilly grey eyes on her, as they searched for any indication of her true identity beneath the mask. “I’m sorry, this was a big mistake.” Hermione let go of his hand and took a step, turning to the crowd to leave the great hall. He must have realized that it was her beneath the glamour charm, under that mask.
Draco hurried ahead of her and stepped in front of her. “No, it’s not a mistake.” Hermione frowned, “Don’t you know who I really am?” Draco smiled half-heartedly, “Yes, you are, Sunflower Girl. I’ve been waiting to meet you.” She felt like her heart skipped a beat and she asked, “What about your girlfriend?”
“It’s over,” Draco spoke definitively as he continued, “I guess you were expecting a guy that enjoys sitting in The Three Broomsticks reading and writing stories.” Hermione looked at him dubiously a bit unsure of everything. She possessed no inkling that behind the letters would be a former Death Eater. She was aware that writing letters provided an open opportunity for everyone, she just never expected Draco to be one.
“It’s just, that you are Draco Malfoy; top marks when it comes to just about everything in school, with your specialty in potions. Head Boy for the Slytherin house. A star player on the Quidditch team. Your father bought the entire team new Nimbus 2001s brooms one year. Not someone who is interested in going to a Muggle university to study writing. You can’t be both guys,” Hermione finished her tangent with a breath.
Draco shrugged his shoulders, “I’m not.”
Hermione looked at him quizzically, “Well, then, who are you?”
He took a moment, seemingly lost in thought. He looked up at the enchanted ceiling as if searching for the right words before he looked down and locked eyes on her with a faint smile on his lips. “On October 6th, I wrote to you. I’m living in a world, within these castle walls, a place that is full of people who are pretending to be someone that they aren’t. But when I write to you.”
“I’m the person I want to be,” She whispered confidently.
“Tonight, will you give me the chance to be that guy I want to be with you?” Draco’s face displayed openness, but he sounded optimistic, “Will you join me for a walk outside?” Hermione smirked slightly, “If you want to be voted Homecoming King of this event, you might want to stay inside.”
Draco shook his head, rolling his eyes, and a faint chuckle escaped his lips, “I really don’t care if I become Homecoming King.”
Hermione found it surprising that he chose to prioritize spending time with her over adding another title to his name. He reached his hand out to her with a smile, she laced her fingers with his and allowed him to lead her out of the Great Hall and outside. As they left, Astoria Greengrass watched the pair leave and folded her arms across her chest. She turned away, her angelic fake wings flapping at each step. Professor McGonagall also observed the two students with a bit of curiosity.
Hermione carefully stepped outside, followed by Draco. The courtyard had been adorned, yet there was no one present to relish the view. The columns were adorned with twinkling orbs, with jasmine and honeysuckle hanging and trailing down their vines. While the Great Hall adorned itself like a scene from a wintery landscape, the outside gave the impression of early spring.
The air exuded warmth as the sweet scent of the blooms filled the surroundings. “Well Sunflower Girl, If I guessed who you are correctly, would you tell me?” Draco inquired and Hermione slyly answered, “Perhaps,” as they strolled together. Draco released her hand to place his arms behind his back and he asked, “How about we play 20 Questions then?”
“How about we drop that down to 10?” She turned and gave him a soft smile as she played along with him. “Fair enough,” Draco replied. He shifted his attention towards her, his silver eyes brimming with curiosity, “Are you actually a student at Hogwarts?””
Hermione chuckled at the question, “Of course I am.”
“I just had to confirm, I didn’t know.” He held out his right hand for a moment before tucking it behind his back again, smiling. “You can never know with these letters. Okay, next question.” Hermione watched him as he tried to find the words. “Did you feel let down when you discovered that I was Dragon Rider? Be honest.”
“Honestly? No, I wasn’t,” Hermione felt confident in her response.
“Really?” He spoke excitedly as he took a step in her path, “If given a choice would you rather have firewhisky or butterbeer?She lifted a brow and couldn’t hold back her grin like a cat, “Firewhisky.” Why?” She stepped around him, her left wing brushing against him.
Draco followed after her, “You know perhaps I admire a girl who can drink. Plus, you just told me eliminates half the girls in this school.” He was so playful in his response to her, Hermione couldn’t help, as she giggled inwardly at his response. Her smile faded when she caught him staring at her. They both halted in place as a smile formed in the corner of the left side of his mouth. “You would think I would remember those eyes. They are so beautiful,” Draco reached out with his right hand for her mask.
Hermione looked down, feeling slightly embarrassed before revealing a shy smile, “Next question.” She stepped away with Draco trailing behind her and she was in total disbelief. Hermione didn’t realize how kind and how much of a jokester Draco Malfoy could be. She walked over to a white gazebo that had been set up for the event. More of the lights wrapped around the beams and lattice. White wisteria hung from the ceiling, roses were intertwined into the beams with more of the light source. Everything seemed to glow ethereally in the small area.
There were a couple of older wizards nearby with their instruments. “If I ask you to dance, does that count as a question?” Draco asked curiously. A smile graced Hermione’s lips as she quipped, “But there is no music.”
“So?” He bowed deeply, taking her left hand with his right hand and his other hand elegantly held behind his back. A laugh escaped her lips as Draco placed her hand on his right shoulder before resting it on her waist, then extended his left hand in offering. Hermione placed her hand in his and both started to sway gently. The only sound was that of the music that echoed inside the castle walls, the chirps of the crickets close by.
The pair looked over to see a band pick up their instruments. The strumming of a guitar, then a rich, resonant tone as the violinist slid his bow across the strings could be heard. The two laughed in delight and Hermione was in disbelief that they would play when they were the only ones choosing to be outside during the dance. Draco looked back down into her eyes once more before he spun her, he was careful of her wings.
Draco dipped her before he pulled her back up. He attempted to reach once more for her white mask only to have her pull away. She touched her mask, ensuring that it was still secure. He bowed, apologizing before offering his hand to her to dance once more. This time, he held Hermione closer and placed a hand on her left side. The music started to slow, she breathed faster, “All out of questions?”
“Do you believe in love at first sight?” Draco asked, spinning her around and pulling her back to his embrace. “I’ll let you know,” she spoke a bit hesitantly, swaying with each step he took, guiding her on the small wooden floor.
“But I’ve seen you before?” Draco queried. “Yes,” Hermione assured him. “How could I have seen you before, and not know who you are now?” Draco lifted his left brow a bit perplexed. “Maybe you were looking, but you weren’t really seeing,” Hermione answered with a smirk. “Hey, you have one more question left.” She whispered.
“Okay,” Draco responded back quietly. He took a step over and pulled one of the dozens white cut roses from the gazebo. She could feel a blush rising beneath her mask. He was holding the rose out for her, “Sunflower Girl, do you feel like you made the right choice meeting me here tonight?”
“I do.” Hermione’s voice cracked a little, “And do you, Draco Malfoy, ever want to see me again after tonight?”
He sighed and slid his gaze to the side. “Well, I might just have to think about that.” He looked down to meet her eyes and her shocked expression, “Absolutely,” Draco assured her. Hermione took a deep breath, he reached over once more his hands on her mask. She looked up when she heard the first chime start from the bell tower signaling that it was now eleven o’clock. “Not now,” she whispered.
“What, do you have a curfew?” Draco chuckled, not understanding her. “Something like that. Thank you, this has been the most amazing night,” Hermione sighed resignedly, “I have to go,” as she stepped away from him.
“Wait where are you going?” Draco was startled by her trying to take off already. “I’m late,” she informed him as she looked back over her shoulder one last time. “Late for what?” He placed his left hand on the wooden beam of the gazebo for support.
“Reality,” Hermione hurried past, still cradling the white rose with her back to the entrance of the castle. He stood still in disbelief. Draco didn’t understand why she would be so quick to leave when they had been enjoying their evening together.
Draco chased her back into the Entrance Hall, she turned back once more to look at him halfway up the stairs. “Hey, mate, they’re calling you and your little Cinderella,” his friend Theodore Knott spoke happily. Hermione turned away fully, she didn’t notice her bracelet sliding off from her wrist and falling onto the steps below. Theo dragged Draco into the Great Hall where other students and faculty were cheering and clapping for him to win his crown.
Once he was able to get away from the commotion, he walked back into the Entrance Hall and back up to the steps where he saw his mystery girl’s bracelet had fallen. A few decorative charms dangled on it, a ballerina, a music note, and a small silver heart.
Hermione made it up to the Gryffindor Tower and snuck into the dorm she shared with the other girls. She sat on the bed, holding the rose close to her chest. She wished the glamor spell would have lasted longer, but it was the best she could do. She was able to meet Dragon Rider. She was able to have a conversation with Draco Malfoy that didn’t end in her being humiliated by him. It’s possible that he had changed. Perhaps the war had made him more understanding of the world and opened his eyes.