"Doyouwantogototheballwithme?"

"What?" I asked, staring at Harry in bafflement as something inaudible came out of his mouth.

His face flushed scarlet and he took a deep breath.

"Uh- do you... erm... wanna go to the ball?" He stammered, nervously scratching the back of his neck, and accidentally knocking his glasses askew with his arm as he did so. "With me- I mean..."

"Oh," I replied, trying desperately to think of a way to let him down, but my mind drawing only blank. "Okay, sure."

It wasn't as though I had anyone else to go with. And I knew Draco was taking Pansy because she would often boast loudly about it to anyone who would (or wouldn't) listen.

I hadn't spoken to Draco since the ferret incident. He had made no attempt to approach me, and I certainly didn't have any intention on stepping on that Pansy's toes.

It didn't stop me from thinking about him though.

About how much I had wanted to kiss him.

"Great! Fantastic! Wow!"

I blinked. Harry was grinning just like a kid in an ice-cream shop.

"Yeah... great."

...

"Oh Aurora, you look zimplee gorgees!"

I stepped out of the carriage dressed in a black, off-the-shoulder, floor length dress. The bodice was intricately weaved with beautiful sequins, making the dress almost sparkle under the moonlight. I let my long dark hair fall in waves down my back, one side pinned back with a silver diamanté hair slide.

Fleur held out an arm for me, looking stunning herself in a simple elegant grey dress.

"Let's go find those boys ov ours," she said throatily as we made our way shivering across the grounds in the cold night air towards the castle.

Even though I knew she meant Harry, in my mind I couldn't help but wonder if Draco was there already.

...

Draco sighed heavily. This was already truly tiresome and the ball hadn't even begun yet.

They were waiting in the Great Hall for the champions and their dates to make their 'grand entrance'. Pansy was clinging onto his arm, practically bouncing up and down with excitement as she beamed across at everyone.

"Oh! Doesn't it look beautiful, Drakie?" She simpered, gazing around the newly decorated hall in awe.

Personally, Draco thought it looked as though a glitter troll had thrown up all over it. But then, what did he know about interior design?

A trumpet sounded, announcing the arrival of the champions. Despite himself, Draco felt a small stirring in the pit of his stomach. He knew Aurora was Potter's date. And as much as it would disgruntle him to see her on the arm of him, he was still itching to see her.

They were the last couple through the door. First came Diggory and Chang, then that French bird and Davies, next Krum and the Mudblood (Draco couldn't help but curl his lip in disgust as the latter wafted past).

And then there she was.

She literally took his breath away - she looked more beautiful than he had thought could be possible. And his heart gave a slight pang when he realised it could have been him bringing her to the ball tonight, instead of bloody Potter.

If only he hadn't been such a bloody coward about asking her. Or saying no to Pansy.

Their eyes locked briefly as she passed by him, and Draco felt the earth momentarily shift beneath him. He tried to ignore her arm linked with that smug bastard's due to the sight making him feel furious.

As she stepped onto the dance floor and allowed Potter to take her in his arms, he thought about the way she had looked at him, and he couldn't shift this feeling that there had been something troubled in her eyes. Sadness? Regret? Longing?

It was certainly what he was feeling, anyway.

...

I really wasn't enjoying myself.

I tried so hard not to keep glancing over at Draco, who seemed to be sat sulkily at a table on the other side of the hall, with Pansy sat by his side as she looked wistfully into the crowd of dancers.

"Cheer up, Rory!" My brother laughed breathlessly as he threw himself down on the seat next to me, his brow beaded with sweat from the exertion of dancing.

I forced myself to smile, but inside I was feeling so low. And I wasn't even one hundred percent sure I knew why.

Glancing back over to Draco's table my heart stilled as his silver grey eyes instantly pierced into mine. I quickly looked down, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks.

"Where's Harry, anyway?" Cedric frowned, looking around as if he would appear. "He's not abandoned you has he?"

"He wanted to dance, and I told him to go on without me," I sighed, "I'm not in the mood."

"You're at a ball," he laughed, shaking his head in disbelief. "If you're not in the mood now, then you'll never be."

I shrugged my shoulders, and stole another quick glance at Draco. He was still staring at me. I felt my heart race crazily in my chest.

"He's bad news, Rory." Cedric growled, having noticed this furtive exchange. "You know, I was so pleased when I found out you were going with Harry - he's a top bloke, who fights for what is right. Not like that pretentious git over there who thinks that gold and blood status is more important than having decent, kind, honest values."

"I know, I know!" I sighed exasperatedly, "I don't know why you're so worried, he's here with Pansy anyway."

"If you say so," Cedric grunted as he glared up at Draco's table where Pansy was now huffily sat with her arms folded, scowling at Draco who was quite clearly giving her zero attention.

The lights suddenly went down low and the music's tempo changed, slowing to a soft romantic beat.

"Hey, Ced!" a voice called from the edge of the throng of bodies on the dance floor.

I glanced up to see Cedric's date, Cho, looking sweaty and breathless as she waved over. "Come on - I love this song!"

Cedric beamed, giving her a brief nod to indicate he'll be there.

"Are you going to okay?" He asked, frowning in concern as he paused mid rise.

"I'll be fine - go have fun!" I smiled to show him I meant it.

After he disappeared back into the crowd to join Cho, I couldn't help but glance up at Draco's table. I was surprised to see Pansy had gone. I looked around but she was nowhere to be seen. I surmised that she must have given up on Draco and went to join the crowd on the dance floor without him.

His eyes pierced mine once again but this time I didn't look away. And neither did he.

The song's tones intensified as couples clung together on the dance floor, drowning in the beauty of the music.

I could feel every inch of my skin tingle, aware of every single hair on my head as Draco continued to stare into my eyes.

Slowly, he stood up, and with my heart pounding maddeningly in my chest, I found myself standing up too.

As he stepped towards me, I stepped towards him, feeling as though nothing could stop me going to him. It was like being drawn to a magnet.

Our movements became swifter, faster. My heart raced as we both effortlessly navigated our paths between table and chairs, only stopping when we were stood right in front of each other.

"Aurora," he breathed, holding out an outstretched hand. I couldn't help but notice it was trembling slightly, almost as though he were afraid I wouldn't accept it.

Slowly, I lifted my hand and placed it in his, pleasure coursing through my veins as long fingers instantly curled around mine, his touch feeling cool against my skin.

"You look beautiful," he murmured awe-like, his silver grey eyes twinkling under the soft lighting.

I couldn't speak, my voice seemed to have left me completely. Instead I let out a soft sigh and allowed him to pull me to him as his arms circled my waist.

And there we stood, just to the side of the dance floor, holding each other as the sweet, heavenly song played around us.

I pressed a cheek against his chest and closed my eyes in delight as his hands gently caressed my back, my own clutching at the fabric of his shirt, gently digging my fingertips into the tautness of his back.

He invaded me. His scent, his touch, the sound of his rapid heartbeat beneath his chest. In that moment he was everything.

And then in an instant, without warning, we were torn apart.