AN: This is my first fanfiction…be gentle.

(Hermione POV)

"Ron…you ruined…everything!" Hermione spat, choking through the tears. Why did she believe that oaf would make her feel special? He was stupid. He didn't care about anyone but himself. Hermione slumped down on the steps, rubbing her aching feet. She looked up, tears in her eyes, scanning the room for her date. Viktor didn't lie; he did in fact get something to drink, just not for her. He smiled as he used his free hand to tuck a loose curl behind some Beauxbatons' ear. Not him too, Hermione though. Maybe Ron was right. Maybe she did make a fool of herself tonight. A mixture of anger, embarrassment, and grief started to bubble up within her. She threw her heels down in a fit of confusion within.

"Poor little Granger. Did little Ronald hurt your feelings? Or did that Durmstrang bon-bon try to feel you up?" Malfoy said, smirking in her direction. This wasn't what Hermione needed right now. She needed to be alone; to get out of here.

"Shut up, Malfoy. This is none of your business," she said, standing up. She rubbed her eyes, praying that her previous sobbing wouldn't show. Hermione knew Malfoy would jump at the chance to tease her about something else.

"It's not? It might as well be, there are people around. You know how fast word spreads at this school," he said, moving closer to her. Hermione sighed.

"I know. I know!" She turned around quickly, stifling a sob. Tomorrow was going to be hell. She had to see Ron nearly every second of the day. Not to mention every Durmstrang boy looked alike to Viktor; she would be reminded of him every time she saw a brown uniform. She started up the stairs, ready to get this stupid dress off and sleep the pain away. She looked back down the stairs, only to see Draco still standing where she left him. "What? Why are you still here?" she asked. His face didn't express the usual sneer…this was something different.

"I-uh, I don't know," he stammered, his face reddening. This is odd…Hermione thought, stepping down a few stairs to get a closer look of the out of character boy. He swiped some strands of stray blonde hair from his view. Hermione wore a curious expression.

"Draco, what is with you tonight?" Hermione demanded, more than asked.

"Nothing! Get off of my back," he barked, spinning in the opposite direction, but stopping after a few steps. Hermione heard a heavy sigh come from him. "You should have known Viktor would ditch you like that. For someone who is so brilliant, you don't have much common sense. He's three years older, for Merlin's sake!"

"Why do you care? Yes it was foolish but I can learn from my mistakes. I don't need some prat telling me how to run my life!" she said harshly. Draco looked hurt, but she meant what she said. She didn't get why he had taken an interest in her tonight. They were enemies. She lowered her head and began to rub her temple. She was starting to get a strong headache.

"You deserve to be treated better," he said quietly. Hermione looked up. Draco genuinely looked concerned. "Granger…you, uh, look really nice tonight. Beautiful," he blushed and awkwardly smoothed his trousers with his hands. She felt her face turn hot, and not because it was extremely warm on the stairwell.

"Thank you, Draco," she managed to say after a few moments. She walked down a few more steps to be eye level with him. Without thinking, she reached out and hugged Draco; a big, warm hug. Harry ran through Hermione's thoughts; this was how she usually hugged Harry. She immediately started to feel guilty and quickly pulled back. Harry was going to hate her for this.

"You're welcome…Hermione," he said shyly, pulling in for another hug. Hermione hugged back, her eyes swimming with tears. She didn't know what to think. This night was beyond confusion. There were no books on how to deal with these feelings. This was one area Hermione was no expert on.

(Harry POV)

"What was with her tonight? What in the hell did I do?" Ron started, pacing the Gryffindor common room. Most of his dress robes were strewn across the floor, Ron obviously didn't want anything to do with them anymore. He looked at Harry for an answer.

"I don't know! Ron I can fight dragons but obviously I'm no expert at girls!" he said, plopping down on the couch in front of the fire. The common room was empty except for the two of them. Most everybody was still at the ball, maybe actually enjoying themselves.

"I wonder if she's still out there. Check for me, mate?" Ron asked, sitting down next to Harry on the couch.

"Why don't you?" Harry answered. He felt like he didn't need to be dragged into this, he hadn't done anything to Hermione.

"Come on. What if she still is? I can't just walk up to her and then walk back! She'll expect an apology! Please, Harry?" Ron begged.

"Fine, "Harry sighed, getting up from the couch and making his way towards the portrait way. He was tired; he wanted to go to sleep. Making his way towards the Great Hall, he had to apologize several times for running into snogging couples taking up the hallways. He felt relieved as he finally reached his destination; the spot where Hermione yelled at Ron. "What the…" Harry said, squinting towards the bottom of the stairs. Was that…Malfoy? Hugging Hermione? No. It couldn't have been. He'd recognize Hermione's beautiful dress anywhere, but was that really Draco? He stepped closer, seeing a mess of platinum blonde hair rest on Hermione's purple sleeve. He rushed out of the stairwell; he felt like he was going to be sick. How could Hermione do this? With Draco, of all people! Harry's face grew red, with embarrassment or anger, he couldn't tell. She hugged him tightly, quite like the way she hugged Harry…her arms wrapped around his body, her face resting on his shoulder, her bushy hair brushing his cheek, the smell of her vanilla perfume floating through Harry's nose. He wanted to be hugging her right now, he wanted to be comforting Hermione. Why did she choose Ron in the first place anyway? Why not him? Harry wanted to be with Hermione. He wanted to be with her more than anything right now.

AN: Thoughts on this would be INCREDIBLE. Feedback of any kind would be appreciated! Thank you! xx