Hermione is the belle of the Yule Ball, as she manages to attract the attention of many a wizard.

It was the night of the Yule Ball and all of Hogwarts had been in a tizzy for weeks. Wizards fretting over which witch to ask to the ball, and witches fretting over what to wear for the big night.

That was the reason why, Hermione was alone in the Room of Requirement getting ready for her date with Viktor Krum. She had sent her adoptive mother a letter a few weeks ago after Viktor had formally asked her, to let her know that she would need a dress for the ball. Her mother wrote back, happy for her, and sending plenty of galleons to buy a new dress, shoes and whatever else she’d needed for the evening.

Hermione was touched by the gesture.

Things might be strained and distant with her parents, but they did care for her.

She had found the perfect dress last weekend in Hogsmeade. It was a periwinkle blue, which looked stunning with her complexion. She had chosen the color on purpose, knowing what it represented and she was sure all the other Purebloods would too.

Calmness, serenity and ice.

She would not let anyone ruin this for her—a chance to finally feel normal for once in her life.

She had waited with baited breath for several weeks to see what Professor Snape would do about her defiance, but so far it was as she’d suspected.

The man didn’t have a pot to piss in, and she felt a sense of vindication at besting the dour Potions Master.

Gazing at her reflection in her cheval mirror one last time, Hermione was pleased with what she saw. Her hair was done in a beautiful updo with curls delicately framing her face. She had found some pretty periwinkle flower earrings to match the dress. Her makeup was light and pleasing, and her 2-inch stilettos charmed for comfort.

Yes, she was ready.

Upon leaving the Room of Requirement, she immediately cast a disillusionment charm over herself until she got to the top of the stairs leading into the Great Hall. She could hear the music playing and see her school mates excited faces as they walked in and out of the Great Hall.

Harry Potter was standing at the base of the stairs with one of the Patil Twins who was wearing a traditional Indian Sari dress and Cedric Diggory was standing with Cho Chang from Ravenclaw while Viktor was off to the side, looking nervous.

Hermione cancelled the charm and serenely walked down the stairs to the gasps of several people, but her eyes were only for the wizard smiling and looking at her with appreciation in his gaze. He walked over to her and bowed formally and she curtsied in response. He took her hand and kissed her knuckles gently, tucking her hand into his arm and nodding in satisfaction at his choice of witch for the evening. She then heard the Patil girl call her “beautiful” and she smiled inwardly at the compliment because for the first time in her life?

She truly felt beautiful.

Professor McGonagall has come over to remind the Tri-Wizard champions that they would be opening the ball.

Hermione was grateful that her adoptive parents had made her take formal dance lessons when she was younger. As the music swelled and the doorway cleared, she took her place next to Viktor and the two walked in directly behind Fleur Delacour and her date for the evening, Roger Davies.

When Hermione entered the hall, she couldn’t help but overhear the comments that some of her classmates were making about her being on Viktor Krum’s arm. Most of what she heard was not complimentary, but she held her head high, and ignored the pettiness of those around her, inwardly smiling at the fact that when it was revealed that she was the daughter of the Dark Lord, all these people would be eating their hateful words.

When Hermione took Viktor’s hand and they started to dance, she was surprised at how graceful he was. They flowed around the dance floor effortlessly, showing off style and grace.

Draco couldn’t believe his eyes when he’d seen Granger walking in on the arm of Krum.

She was resplendent in her blue robes and he covertly watched the reactions of the other wizards in the room appraising the little witch.

Hermione Granger was by far the most beautiful witch in the Great Hall that evening and Draco was stunned speechless.

Blaise who was on his right whispered into his ear, “Who knew the mudblood would clean up so nicely?”

Draco just stared balefully at his friend, while Pansy, his date, was complaining to anyone who’d listen that there was no way that a wizard like Krum would willingly go to the ball with mudblood Granger, therefore she must have ‘imperiused’ the Quidditch star.

Draco grabbed her arm to shush her and headed towards the dance floor to get a closer look at the couple.

Severus Snape couldn’t believe his eyes as Hermione Granger was on the arm of Viktor Krum. He glanced over to his friend Lucius Malfoy, who was watching the little witch closely. As Head of the Board of Governors, it was expected that Lucius would be in attendance this evening.

Usually he wouldn’t have bothered, but since he’d received the letter from Severus weeks ago in regard to the confrontation he’d had with the Slytherin mudblood witch, Lucius was most interested in observing the girl. He remembered the day he had met her in Diagon Alley. She had been such a little thing, one would think she would’ve cowered when he had condescendingly acknowledged her presence that day.

But she had been fierce and unbowed in her cold fury.

Draco had told him how he had made sure that the entirety of Slytherin House had ostracized the girl for her filthy heritage and Lucius couldn’t have been more proud of his son, when Draco had written home that first week of school. Yet the little mudblood chit had bested his son in every subject that year, and had continued to do so each year despite having no connections and no friends within the school.

Watching the girl now, one would never guess she was a mudblood.

She held herself regally, danced as well as any Pureblood witch, and didn’t seem to give notice to the harsh glares and hateful sneers being sent her way.

in fact her countenance never gave any of what she felt away, and Lucius was both irritated and intrigued by her.

He also watched his son, who couldn’t seem to take his eyes off the mudblood—but then most of the young wizards in the room seemed taken with the witch. Lucius watched as the Krum boy escorted Miss Granger to the refreshment table and poured her some punch. The girl smiled politely, demurely but never more emotion than that.

She seemed to be quite a controlled little thing.

As the evening wore on, Lucius finally saw an opening when he noticed his son and Miss Greengrass walking over towards the dessert table where Miss Granger and her date were firmly ensconced. So he purposefully made his way over, waiting to make his presence known.

Daphne had seen Draco watching Hermione for most of the night with a fore lorn expression on his face.

Draco had told her what had transpired between Hermione and Professor Snape after he had gone to him about Hermione not staying in the dorms.

Daphne had made a little progress with the witch, but since the incident? Hermione was once again ignoring her.

She reached for Draco’s arm, and the two of them made their way over to where Hermione and Viktor Krum were standing, talking quietly amongst themselves.

Hermione noticed the arrival of the Slytherins and hoped that they wouldn’t be so rude as to interrupt herself and Viktor, but luck apparently wasn’t on her side. Daphne approached with an impassive expression but her gaze was hopeful, whereas Malfoy looked uncomfortable.

“Hermione,” Daphne smiled at her, “you look lovely this evening.”

Hermione didn’t want to appear rude in front of Viktor, so she had no choice but to engage the other witch. “Thank you. You look lovely as well.”

Draco just shuffled his feet, staring over Hermione’s shoulder.

Hermione smirked inwardly to herself.

She would show that bigoted prat that she was capable of proper manners, same as any Pureblood witch.

Hermione squeezed Viktor’s arm gently and he nodded silently to her. “Daphne Greengrass, please allow me to formally introduce you to Viktor Krum.” Viktor bowed and Daphne smiled and curtsied. “And her escort, Draco Malfoy.” Hermione gestured toward Draco politely.

Draco’s eyes widened in shock momentarily, but he was quick to bring his mask down as he bowed formally to Viktor, who politely returned the formality.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Krum.” Draco said haughtily.

Viktor just smirked at the blonde. “Asz for me asz well.”

Daphne was about to say something, when she felt a presence directly behind her. Draco stiffened when he felt a hand on his shoulder, knowing instinctively it was his father.

Draco turned and bowed formally to Lucius. “Father, it is good to see you. I hope you are enjoying yourself this evening.”

Lucius nodded regally. “It would seem that the committee did an excellent job in making the venue acceptable for the evening. Won’t you introduce me to your friends, Draco?”

Draco considered his father warily, recognizing the gleam in his eye.

This was going to get interesting, very quickly.

“Of course, Father. You know Daphne Greengrass,” Draco then gestured to his companion and Lucius nodded regally again at the witch. Draco then nodded formally towards Krum, “This is Viktor Krum. He is the Tri-Wizard Champion from Durmstrang.”

Viktor bowed and Lucius nodded, “Ah yes, Mr. Krum. A fine display of magic from the first task, most impressive.”

Viktor nodded. “Thank youz, Lord Malfoy forz your kind worzs.”

Draco then gestured towards Hermione. “This is Hermione Granger, Father. She is a member of Slytherin House as well, and top of our year.”

Lucius eye twitched involuntarily at the reminder that his son was second in his class to a mudblood, despite Severus mentioning the girls magical and intellectual prowess.

“Ah yes. Of course, Miss Granger. Draco has mentioned you before. Miss Greengrass was correct in the fact that you look lovely this evening. You and Mr. Krum make a striking couple out of the dance floor.”

Hermione stared impassively at the older wizard, her face giving nothing away of what she was feeling.

She curtsied regally, which caused Lord Malfoy’s eyebrow to raise in surprise. “Thank you for your kind words, Lord Malfoy. Viktor is an exceptional dancer and makes it all seem so effortless.”

“Nonsense, Miss Granger. It is easy enough to see with a well-trained eye that you have had some tutelage in the art of dancing. I am gratified to note that certain societal niceties are still appreciated, despite one’s heritage.”

Draco’s eyes widened at his Father’s slight of the little witch, and he felt Daphne’s hand tighten around his arm, but looking at Granger, Draco could see no visible change in her demeanor.

She had that dead, indifferent look on her face while she coolly assessed his father.

Bloody hell, the girl was good.

Hermione wasn’t fooled by Lord Malfoy’s attempt at civility, so she just stared at him impassively. Once he realized that she wasn’t going to be intimidated, he excused himself wandering over to where Headmaster Karkaroff was standing.

She then casually glanced back at the Slytherin duo, and they both looked uncomfortable.

Strange.

“If you both will excuse us, Viktor and I are going to take a stroll outside for some fresh air.”

Draco stiffened, but Daphne just smiled and nodded. “You really do look lovely, Hermione. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

Hermione nodded her head at the other girl, and Draco watched as Viktor Krum escorted the Granger outside. Draco saw his father notice the pair leaving the hall, lean over to say something to Karkaroff, and then discreetly follow Hermione and Krum outside.

Daphne noticed Lucius exit as well.

“What is that all about, Draco?”

Draco sighed. “I’m not sure exactly. Why don’t you head back and entertain Pansy for a bit, I think I’m going to check and see what my father is up to.”

Daphne squeezed his arm in reply and made her way over to her friends, while Draco followed his father out of the Great Hall.