The Siren's Call (A Draco Malfoy Fanfiction)

49. The Yule Ball

The moment Dioleh and Imani came into the common room, all eyes turned to them. Some with shock, others with awe, and then... Dioleh saw Draco. He looked like a man in a trance. As the two walked out, Imani whispered, "Was it just my imagination or were they all staring at us."

"Oh they certainly were," Dioleh replied with a chuckle. "It's because we look gorgeous, silly." Imani laughed. Once they got to the Entrance Hall, they saw several members of each house waiting for their dates.

"Imani," Andre said, the moment he saw them. "You look..."

When he couldn't finish his sentence, Dioleh laughed, "Come now, Andre, it can't be that hard."

Coming back to himself, Andre rolled his eyes, remarking, "Don't you have some Gryffindor to find?" Dioleh chuckled, leaving them be in search of Harry.

She found him just as the Durmstrang lot entered with Krum in the lead with Hermione. "Harry," she said.

"Dioleh," he said. "You look amazing."

Blushing at the compliment, she replied, "Thank you."

"Champions over here, please!" McGonagall called. Harry and Dioleh headed over with Cedric and Cho, Fleur and Rodger Davis, and Krum and Hermione.

As they were waiting and everyone else came in, Dioleh turned to Hermione and said, "You look so beautiful, Hermione."

"Thank you, you too," Hermione replied, smiling at her. Turning to Krum, she introduced, "Viktor, this is my sister, Dioleh. Dioleh, you of course know Viktor Krum."

"Pleasure to meet you," Dioleh replied, shaking his hand. Just then, Dioleh spotted Draco walking past with Pansy on his arm. She swallowed, forcing herself to smile again and she turned back to Hermione and Harry. Hermione, however, noticed and gave her sister a look of concern.

In a low voice, she asked, "Are you alright?"

"Of course," Dioleh replied quickly. "Why wouldn't I be?" They headed in to great applause and soon were sitting to eat. As Harry was in conversation with Percy, Dioleh was left alone with her thoughts and her food. Her eyes more than once flickered over to Draco who was talking to Pansy.

After everyone had finished eating, the band came out and the lights lowered. Dioleh and Harry went onto the dance floor with the rest of the champions and their partners. Harry was completely perplexed about what to do. Rolling her eyes slightly, she grabbed his hands and moved one to her waist while holding the other in her hand. As they began to move, Harry said quietly, "I thought you didn't know how to dance."

"I don't," Dioleh replied. "It's just not that hard." Harry forced a laugh.

"You know, I was quite scared of you first year," Harry remarked.

"Scared, why?" Dioleh laughed.

Shrugging, he replied awkwardly, "Well you were this beautiful Slytherin who just showed up, I suppose. And you were willing to fight a troll." Dioleh smiled, slight discomfort growing in her chest.

"Yeah, I suppose I was," she said awkwardly. "I still am, I hope."

"Well, er, you're certainly still beautiful," he said.

"Thanks, Harry," Dioleh said with a faint blush on her cheeks, although the discomfort grew.

Bitting his lip nervously, Harry began, "Dioleh, I want you to know that I-"

"Mind if I steal your date for a moment, Potter?" Draco asked tensely. Dioleh couldn't help the silent sigh of relief the slipped through her lips.

"Er-" Harry began.

"That's not for him to decide," Dioleh said with a hint of ice. "I'll be right back, Harry." He nodded, looking regretful. A new piece began to play just as Draco and Dioleh faced each other. Draco placed his hand on her waist and gently look her other hand. Contrary to Harry, Draco was a brilliant dancer. "So, what was it you wanted to talk about?"

"Nothing," he lied. "Is it a crime to just want to dance with my...friend." Dioleh blushed.

"I see," Dioleh said meekly. "Well, I will say you're a much better dancer than Harry."

"Oh? Well, I got something on him then," Draco replied, his voice losing some of its carelessness.

Frowning, Dioleh said, "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," Draco said quickly.

"Dray-" she began. Without a word, he let her go and rushed off. She stared after him, her brows furrowed in worry. Harry approached her, but Dioleh rushed past, following Draco outside, not even noticing him there. "Draco!" she called, rushing down a large staircase to get into the gardens. He had gotten a good distance away and she had to sprint down the stairs to get to him. Once she had caught up, she grabbed his hand, turning to face him as she asked breathlessly, "Dray, what's wrong? What aren't you telling me?"

"Nothing," he said, pulling his hand from hers. Attempting to move past her, Draco added, "I should go."

"Draco!" Dioleh shouted, grabbing his hand again and forcing him to face her. "What is going on with you? You've been acting weird ever since-"

"I don't want to talk about it," he said, attempting again to break away from her. Dioleh merely tightened her grip by grabbing on with her other hand as well.

"Dray," she said gently.

Angrily, he ripped his hand from hers and snapped, "Did you ever think that maybe I'm not as good of a person as you think I am?"

"What?" Dioleh said. "Dray, what are you talking about?"

"You're so perfect, Dioleh!" Draco shouted. "You're smart, you're beautiful, you're kind, and you care so much and I-" He broke off, tears pooling in his eyes.

"Draco," Dioleh said, a hint of sympathy in her confusion. His eyes were filled with anger. She tried to reach for him again, but he backed away as if she would burn him. "Dray, talk to me, what's going on? What happened? We were just dancing. I don't understand."

"How could you?!" Draco shouted back. Dioleh cowered. "With your perfect little friend groups and your perfect little family! You're perfectly happy with a group of mudbloods and blood-traitors and-" He broke off as he realized what he had just said. Dioleh's eyes were blazing with angry tears. "Dioleh-"

"GO!" Dioleh shouted, her voice trembling. He tried to approach her as she yelled again, "GO!" Grabbing onto the lapels of his jacket to shove him back, she bellowed, "Don't you ever talk to me again, Draco Malfoy! GO!" He hesitated a moment, staring at her with regret before he stumbled back. "GO!" Dioleh shouted again. He quickened, heading back into the Great Hall. Dioleh stood there a moment before she felt a hot tear fall down her cheek. This was soon joined by another as she covered her mouth with her hands.

Drawing in a harsh gasp, she collapsed on the ground, sobbing as she drew her knees to her chest and continued to cry bitterly, hugging her legs and the fabric of her dress to her as she ripped off and threw her heels away from her. Every few seconds she would gasp for air before it was caught in her throat, leaving her lightheaded after a few minutes.