You sit alone in the corner of the room, sulking as you watch the festivities of the Yule Ball take place. Everyone is dancing, eating, and clearly having a wonderful time with their partners.

      You clench the skirt of your dress and try not to get angry at David, your date to the Yule Ball who stood you up. David is a third year student who you asked to the ball. The ball has been going on for an hour and no one has seen David anywhere. What was supposed to be a wonderful time is turning out to be horrible.

      You sigh and push yourself up off the chair. You walk to the punch table and pour yourself a glass, trying to avoid everyone as much as possible.

      "Some party, huh?" Draco Malfoy says, suddenly standing next to you. You gasp and jump. Some of the punch runs over the sides of the cup and spills on to your dress.

      "Ugh, Draco!" You grit out angrily, setting the cup down. You look around for a napkin and then Draco is there, handing you a bunch of napkins.

     "I'm so sorry." He grimaces.

     You glare at him and rip them from his grasp. "What do you want?" You ask, patting down your dress that's now stained.

     "Well hello to you too." Draco answers. You look up at him, your eyes narrowing.

     "What?" He questions innocently.

     "Why are you talking to me? We hate each other, Draco." You state.

     He blows out a breath and looks away. "I don't know if we hate each ot—" He starts to say.

      "No. We hate each other." You interrupt, before going back to patting your dress dry.

     "Y/N, I really am sorry about your dress. I didn't mean to scare you." Draco apologizes. He grabs more napkins and kneels down to help you wipe down the skirt of your dress.

     "No, Draco, stop." You protest. But he doesn't listen. "Draco, stop!" You snap angrily, grabbing his hand.

     He flinches and stands. With his eyes wide, he stares at you in shock. Your eyes widen too and you drop your hold on his hand.

     "Sorry." You mutter, brushing your hair back from your face.

     "You're here alone, aren't you?" Draco questions suddenly.

     "What?" You ask.

      "You're here alone." He states.

       You sigh, your shoulders slumping. "I wasn't supposed to be. I asked a boy and he said he'd come." You say. You slowly shake your head, looking down. "But he never came." You finish quietly.

     "Looks like you and I are on the same ship, Y/N." Draco says, leaning up against the table, watching the dancers.

     You look at him. "You got stood up too?" You ask in surprise.

     He nods. "Yep." He answers.

     You frown. "Well, that's rough." You say, leaning up against the table like Draco. You're both silent for a long minute.

      "We could always be each other's dates since we're both alone." Draco suggests, looking at you. You snap your head to look at him.

     "Look, maybe we could pretend to not hate each other for a few hours, okay?" He says.

      You narrow your eyes. "Do you promise you won't be a jerk?" You ask.

     "Have I been a jerk to you at all since we've been together tonight?" He asks.

      "Well, you did make me spill punch all over my dress." You reply pointedly, a smile tugging at your mouth.

     Draco smiles sheepishly. "I said I was sorry." He says. You roll your eyes and Draco stares at you.

     "So what do you say?" He asks.

      "Fine." You sigh.

      Draco grins and holds out his hand. "Would you like to dance, Y/N?" He asks.

      Smiling, you slowly slide your hand into his. "I'd love to." You reply.
[THE END] I hope you liked it!