A/N: I realize the first years are a bit disjointed and i hop as you read the story you will realize why. I hope you enjoy.
'Miss Granger, could you come with me please?' Professor McGonagall said waving at her.
'What's the matter professor?' Hermione said almost running to keep up with her.
'The headmaster thinks we need to show a little more inter house unity so we are pairing up a few students to dance before the band comes.' She said weaving through the crowd.
It was the Yule ball for the tri wizard tournament. There were couples dancing everywhere and they had to weave their way through.
'Who would you like me to dance with professor?' Hermione said raising her voice squeezing through the crowd.
'There you are Mr. Malfoy.' Professor McGonagall said coming to a stop. 'You are to dance with Miss Granger.'
Hermione couldn't believe Professor McGonagall was asking her to do this. Dance with Malfoy? She was stood there in a shock.
'Professor?' She started but she was already gone into the crowd. She looked at Malfoy who had a smirk on his face. She rolled her eyes. 'Let's get this over with.'
Draco held out his arm for her to take as he moved before her to lead her to the dance floor but she just walked past him and stopped when she found a space and waited for him.
'You could show a little civility Granger.' He said taking her waist and hand.
'Because you always show the upmost civility with me Malfoy.' She couldn't even look at him as they moved across the floor, but she heard him chuckle.
'Well how about I start.' He said. 'You look good tonight Granger.' He couldn't believe how good actually.
'Don't toy with me Malfoy.' She said looking at him now. 'Let's just get this dance over with. Professor McGonagall didn't say anything about us having to talk.'
'Fine then Granger.' He sighed. 'Whatever you want.'
They danced for a few minutes more. Hermione grudgingly admitted to herself that he was a really good dancer. She felt him looking at her too and she didn't know how she felt about the look on his face when he did. She was starting to feel nervous with him.
Draco moved her around the floor with skill he knew he was a good dancer. He'd watched Hermione this year he'd noticed how much she'd changed over the summer, a lot of the boys had. He'd watched her enter the hall with Krum and he had to admit his breath caught a little. Dancing with her now he realized how much he actually liked her.
'Herm-own-ninny.' Viktor Krum interrupted them looking at Malfoy.
Draco just looked at Krum and nodded. He turned his gaze to Hermione and smiled. 'Granger.' He muttered before he walked away flexing the hand he'd held hers with feeling like he hand tingles flowing through his fingers and palm.
Hermione watched Draco move away before Viktor pulled her attention back to him. The Weird Sisters had just come on to the stage and it wasn't long before Hermione had forgotten about Draco. Viktor was an awful dancer when it came to this sort of dancing and she laughed along with him as he tried to get a rhythm.
Draco sat at one of the tables watching Hermione and Viktor. She had a great smile when she laughed. Jesus Christ what was happening to him. He got up and walked out of the great hall into the entrance hall he stood in the doorway for a moment looking out into the courtyard. He wasn't sure how long he was stood there before he heard the raised voices coming out of the great hall but he recognized one as Hermione's. He moved down the steps so he wasn't seen. From what he heard Weasley had upset her. It didn't surprise him much. Before he knew it Hermione was running past him along the bridge. He took a deep breath and ran after her.
Hermione couldn't believe Ron had ruined her night. He was being such an idiot. She finally reached the end of the bridge and was at the top of the hill looking over the forbidden forest and the lake. It was beautiful under the moon light. She put her hand in her hair taking deep calming breaths. She sat down on the grass she wasn't sure why she was letting Ron get to her so much.
'Wow you can run Granger.'
Hermione spun her head round at the sound of Draco's voice. 'What do you want Malfoy?'
'I saw you running and you looked upset I wanted to check you were alright.' He panted.
'And that would concern you why?' She asked.
'Come on Granger.' He said moving towards her. 'Give a guy a break.'
'Just tell me what you want Malfoy and leave me alone.' She said rubbing her arms she hadn't realized how cold it was when she ran out of the castle.
Draco noticed the move, took off his cloak and put it over her shoulders. 'I'm checking you're ok Granger.' He moved and sat next to her. 'You did say I should be more civil.'
Hermione couldn't help herself she pulled the cloak around herself. They sat in silence for a while. Draco playing with the grass at his feet.
'What was Krum calling you in there? Minnie?' He had to break the silence.
'No.' she let out a small giggle. 'Herm-own-ninny. He's finding it hard to say my name properly.'
'I think I'd rather be called Minnie than Ninny.' He smiled at her.
'Yes, Hermione would be even better.' She laughed. She was starting to feel better and she couldn't help but think it was thanks to Draco.
'What were you upset about?' He asked tentatively.
'Ron.' She sighed. 'Just being Ron.'
'What the idiot hasn't realized how beautiful you are yet?' He laughed. 'Trust me I think he's the only one.'
Hermione looked at him shocked. He was looking at his hands playing with strands of grass. She didn't know what to say to that. The moonlight bounced off his hair and she noticed for the first time that he was quite good looking. She moved her gaze away.
Draco moved uncomfortably clearing his throat. 'Do you like him?'
'Who? Ron?' She asked. 'No. Not like that.'
Draco looked at her not sure she was telling the truth. She was looking back at him, moonlight reflecting in her eyes.
Hermione felt her breath hitch with the look he was giving her. She stood up quickly, too quickly and stumbled with dizziness.
'Woo there.' Draco said standing up to catch her. He put his hand on her elbow to steady her. 'You ok?'
'I'm fine, I just stood up too fast.' She said not wanting to look at him again. 'We should be getting back to the castle.' She started to walk.
'Wait.' Draco stopped her. 'Dance with me one more time?'
'There's no music Malfoy.' She ran her hands over her dress brushing off the grass.
'So?' He moved towards her and took her hand. 'Use your imagination.'
He pulled her to him and put his hands on her waist and began to sway. 'Come on Granger. Who knows when the next time we'll be able to have a civilized conversation again. We might as well take advantage.'
She moved her hands to his shoulders and moved with him. He took one of her hands and spun her around. She let out a giggle as he caught her.
'That's better.' He smiled back at her.
'Ok.' She said. 'Who are you and what have you done with the real Draco Malfoy?'
'Maybe this is the real me.' He laughed. 'Did you not think of that?'
'No. I've spent the past three and a half years on the receiving end of most of your insults.' She said.
'I have a reputation to uphold.' He laughed.
'Why couldn't you have a nice reputation?' She looked at the floor. 'This Malfoy is better.'
'I'm not sure my family or friends would agree.' He said.
They fell silent again. Just swaying together one hand in each of the others, Draco's other on Hermione's lower back and hers wrapped on his shoulder with her chin balancing on it. Draco leaned his head on hers. Snow had begun to fall around them tickling their faces.
'I like you Granger.' Draco rushed out.
Hermione stopped moving. Draco pushed himself away and looked at her. She was biting her lip. He moved a curl from her face.
'It's not that bad is it?' He asked.
Hermione moved her mouth to speak but no sound came out. Draco brought his arm around her back tighter. Hermione brought her hands up his chest. Before she knew it Draco was kissing her and to her shock she was kissing him back.
She pulled away panting slightly. She looked at him. 'Malfoy.' She started.
'Hey.' He said letting her go. 'Let's not ruin anything.' He smiled. 'We can pretend it was a dream.' He took her hand and moved towards the bridge. 'Come on Minnie let's get back to the castle.'
She was so shocked she went with him willingly. They walked along in silence. Hermione's fingers touching her lips. She'd never been kissed before but she could tell by the kiss it wasn't Draco's first time. He stopped just before the bridge ended.
'I'm going to take a wild guess and say we don't want people to know what just happened.' He looked at her.
She shook her head coming back to her senses slightly. Draco laughed. He pulled her to him again. 'Hopefully we'll bump into each other again. You know, maybe in the library one night, maybe tomorrow I'm sure I have some homework to do over the holidays.'
'Is that your way of asking me to meet you Malfoy?' Hermione laughed.
'Maybe.' He smiled back. 'Depends if the answer would be yes.'
'Maybe.' She said.
He leaned down and kissed her lightly. 'Maybe that can convince you?'
She pushed away and took off his cloak handing it too him. 'I'd have to get away from Viktor.' She said stepping away from him. 'He's a bit stalkerish.' She kept walking backward away from him.
'Will you try?' He asked.
'You'll just have to wait and see.' She laughed.
He watched her turn round and hurry off. He stood there a minute watching her go. He knew he had a stupid grin on his face and he needed to wipe it off. He started to walk back to the castle just as he reached the courtyard he bumped into Zabini.
'Where the hell have you been?' Zabini asked.
'I needed some air. Why?' Draco asked.
'Pansy's been looking for you. Man she's on the warpath. Wouldn't wanna be you right now.'
'Shit.' He'd forgotten about her. 'Listen I'm going back to the common room. Just say you haven't seen me. Alright?' He never gave him much chance to reply he started to move quickly into the castle and towards the Slytherin common room. He wasn't about to let Pansy freaking Parkinson ruin his night.
Hermione had just got into the girls dormitory and was bombarded with questions of her and Viktor. She laughed and answered them all the whole time thinking of Draco Malfoy. Her lips still tingling from his kiss.
