What If Draco Asked Hermione to the Yule Ball?

I'm going to tell you something I've never said out loud. It started with a piece of paper and it changed everything. Whether I wanted [music] it to or not. Three days before the Yule Ball, back when I still thought I had everything under control. The Yule Ball is a tradition, an opportunity for us to socialize with our foreign guests. [music] You will have the opportunity to ask someone to accompany you. Obviously we're going together. Don't make me ask properly, it's embarrassing. And then I saw [music] Krum looking at her. Victor Krum, the most famous Quidditch player in [music] Europe, looking at Hermione Granger like she was the most interesting person in the room. The worst [music] part, he wasn't wrong. She really was. I just hadn't let myself see it yet. He saw it first and I hated him for it. Dinner in the Great Hall left me restless and [music] unsettled. And I couldn't stop thinking about what to do next. I walked past [music] the library at 11:00 that night. She was still working. Of course she was. I wanted to go talk to her, but I turned away instead. A better plan had already formed. I would write to her. I wrote three versions that called her Granger. Very formal, very Malfoy. Then I wrote a fourth one [music] that just asked directly. I hesitated so much, I almost burned the letter. I couldn't decide what to do. By morning [music] it was done. I'd made a choice. I just didn't know yet if I'd be glad about it. I put it inside a textbook, the one she always kept in the same spot [music] on the same shelf. I'd noticed that. Four sentences. I'd rewritten them [music] 11 times. They still weren't good enough. I sent them anyway. I told myself I'd wait 10 minutes. I waited 40. Just don't say anything about that. She came. I hadn't fully believed she would. Seeing her [music] walk through that door was I don't have a word for it. Why me? Genuinely. Because if this is something to humiliate me with, I'd like to know now. [music] It isn't. Then why? Because everyone else is obvious. I will owl you. I stayed in that courtyard for another 5 minutes. I was just standing there, being glad. Hogwarts knew within the hour. Of course it did. A school full of teenagers have [music] nothing better to do than track each other's social disasters. Weasley was [music] mad. I won't pretend I didn't enjoy this part when she told me about it later. But I had my own problems, [music] too. Rumors spread quickly and Pansy's reaction was instant and furious. She was already looking [music] for me. Hermione Granger. [music] Pansy. Don't. I want you to say it to my face. You chose her. It isn't like that. Then what is it like, Draco? Because from where I'm standing, it looks exactly like that. I can't explain it. No, [music] you can't. That's the problem. I just want you to know I think it's [music] very brave showing up somewhere you don't belong and expecting everyone to be kind about [music] it. Are you trying to frighten me off? And then finally, the day of the ball [music] arrived. Hogwarts was buzzing with preparations and you could feel the tension everywhere. I didn't [music] see her getting ready, but somehow I have a feeling she took her time. You're nervous. I'm not. Your collar is straight. [music] You never check your collar. Don't ruin it, Blaise. She came down those stairs and everything I prepared to say, every careful, controlled [music] sentence just left. Gone. You look Careful. Ready? >> [music] >> You look ready. That might be the nicest thing you've ever said to me. 200 people turned to look at us. I kept moving. For once that confidence came in handy. Ron, are you listening? Ron, I was saying about the Yule Ball. Never mind. When the champions [music] opened the dance floor, I spotted Pansy. She was still angry with me, though she seemed satisfied [music] with her match. Meanwhile, I decided not to waste any time and went over to ask her to dance. The whole competition [music] is designed to be risky. Dumbledore knows that. Then why are you helping Harry instead of pulling him out? Because you can't protect someone by taking away their choice. No, I suppose you can't. Victor Krum, >> [music] >> of course. Man had excellent timing in every situation except this one. Hermione, would you dance with me? I let go before anyone could make a scene. The absence of her hand felt almost physical. I hated that. I can't just sit here and watch. I have to [music] do something. She looked over at me once. I know because I was watching. >> [music] >> I wasn't going to pretend otherwise. I've been angry my entire life. It was the emotion I was best trained [music] for. Standing there watching her, I wasn't angry. I was something I didn't have a name for yet. Then Weasley appeared. Which I'll admit I found entertaining for about 30 seconds. Until I saw it in his face. [music] He was about to say something irreversible. I just don't understand why you came with him. He doesn't actually see you, not really. You've [music] had 4 years to see me. That's not fair. No, Ron. What's not fair [music] is that you're only noticing now. He said exactly the wrong thing. I couldn't hear it across the room, but I saw [music] her face change. I walked across an entire ballroom in front of everyone. [music] That was not nothing for someone like me. Hey, I was looking for you everywhere. You disappeared so fast. You look like you want to leave. I thought about it. And? You came over here. I did. Why? Because you looked like you'd rather be anywhere else and I thought maybe you wouldn't feel [music] that way if I was here. By the way, I received your owl. And? Yes to everything. That's a very dangerous answer, Granger. I kept that letter. If I'm being honest, it meant [music] more to me than I ever admitted. Only if you intend to take advantage [music] of it. I do. Come with me. I thought it might make things a little easier for her and maybe I could give us our own kind of ball. Somewhere no one would [music] interrupt us, where it would be just the two of us. You know, I don't regret saying yes. The evening was [music] wonderful and it's all because of you. Careful, Granger. You're starting to sound like you enjoyed yourself. Maybe I did. Good. >> [music] >> Because I don't intend for this to be the only time. You always plan this far ahead. Only when it matters.