Shifting the Balance

Chapter 16

~ Can’t bear to Look ~

She wears a light blue dress with silver accents. She descends the stairs.

Somehow she reminds him of the moon. She looks beautiful and it kills him.

Her hair is bound in a classic way, a few stray curls graze her back. They look soft and he never wanted to touch her more. Her face is a picture. She didn’t use much make-up, just accented her cheekbones, her eyelids and her mouth. Her mouth.

It never seemed more inviting.

Then red bounces in front of Granger in a silver dress with red sparkles.

It rather hurts his eyes making him curs and thank her at the same time for taking away the sight of Granger.

He teares his eyes away from the Griffindors and looks around.

Everyone is having a good time. People were talking enthusiastically with another. The bar was buzzing with laughter and people in a hurry to get a drink.

Malfoy sighs. “This is going to be a long night”. Quickly he gulps down his fire whiskey.


***

She notices him within minutes.

He is sharply dressed, wizardry style. His dress robe is black. He is wearing a silver pressed shirt underneath it. It really brings out at his steel-grey eyes.

Quickly Hermione berates herself. She let herself be entertained by Ginny who shushes her towards her housemates.

Hermione tries her best to ignore his stares. It proves rather difficult.

He’s leaning in a far corner with some Slytherins.

On the outside it looks like he’s talking with people. But she can feel his eyes on her.

When she looks in his direction cold grey orbs hold her stare.

She blinks at the intensity of his eyes.

A Ravenclaw approaches her and asks if she would spare a dance.

He shushes her onto the dance floor and before she is fully aware they are dancing.

His eyes burns holes into her dress. Dark grey eyes follow her movements.

He inches closer. Closer, until he in just a few paces away. He takes it in with rather disinterest. But she could see rage smouldering underneath his collected surface.

It was just one dance. But it was enough, she sensed it immediately.

When the song finished she excused herself from the Ravenclaw. Not really remembering his name although she thought it might have been Wolesworth. Her thoughts cloud as she feel his eyes upon her again.

Suddenly she has trouble breathing. Her chest felt constricted and she wavered.

She wants out. A sudden flash of red appears in front of her.


“Hermione are you alright? You seem a bit pale!”

Ginny looks concerned and Hermione tries to smile.

“Oh Ginny. Yes, I just had one drink to many, I guess. I’m just going to splash some water onto my face. I’ll be back soon.”

Ginny glances as Hermione rushes past her.

***

She’s about to reach the girls room when Hermione feels a warm hand on her bare shoulder. His hand twirls her around. His grey eyes harsh and angry.

“Where are you going?” He demands.

She can’t help but frown at his menacing tone. She doesn’t answer.

Still not willing to talk, but his tone angers her beyond believe.

“Enjoying yourself Granger?” He actually sneers.

“What..? Yes, I am!” She raises her chin up a bit.

“I’ll bet you are! You throw yourself on every breathing male in that room.” He growls.

“Excuse me? I do not throw myself at anyone. I hang out with friends and dance with classmates when asked. That’s what people do at a dance!”

“Yes, so I’ve seen. Quite the little tease, aren’t you.”

“I don’t have to listen to THIS!” Hands gesturing wildly.

“I’M LEAVING!”

She is grabbed from behind and pushed inside the ladies room.

***

“What are you DOING?” She hisses while she slaps his hand off of her.

“You think you just can walk away?” He stabbes an angry finger at me.

She stares at him in disbelieve.

“How can you be angry with me?”

She hears her own voice waver.

She tries with all her might to push the sudden sickening feeling in her stomach down.

“You’re flaunting around like some COMMON WHORE. “ He yells.

“NO! I’m trying to have a BLOODY GOOD TIME!

She pauses to glare him to death.

“I can’t believe you’d ruin this night for both of us!

You made it very clear yesterday what you think of me! So don’t bite my head off if I take comfort in hanging out with friends!”

He says nothing. His eyes are boring into hers.

She feels her stomach jerk violently.

His face is twisted in an ugly scowl and she shivers.

He hasn’t changed. He really hasn’t. He looks at her, eyes filled with contempt.

Those cold grey eyes! Making her feel things she doesn’t want to feel. Making her nauseous.

“Stop staring at me!”

He cocks his head to the side and can’t hide his change of feelings. He looks at her curiously.

“I can’t stand you staring at me like that!”

“Like what?” He asks softly.

“I don’t know, like that!” She gestures at his face. ‘God, I sound stupid!’

He looks to the ground for a moment.

“You think I LIKE staring at you?”

His voice is clipped. And his eyes have darkened when he looks up again.

“I don’t WANT to stare at you!”

He takes a step forward and she backs up against the sink.

“I HATE staring at you!”

He balls his fists. His eyes are swirling with anger.

Eyes always burning. He closes the distance and reaches for her.

“You think I like this! “ He grabbes her shoulders.

“I can’t stand this. Can’t bear the sight of you!”

His face is hovering in front of hers and she thinks she will collapse if he keeps looking at her.

“God, I hate to want to look at you.” His voice falters.

“I can’t breathe when you look at me.” She whisper.

“You make me feel sick when you look at me.” He whispers back.

He reaches for her face with both hands.

He crashes his lips on hers in a searing kiss


***


AN:Hope you've injoyed reading this.
Next chapter will be a lot more hot and steamy. I promise!!!

DJ