Chapter One

The Yule Ball

I couldn't believe that this was happening. The lights, the dresses, the music! It was all so... romantic! I wasn't in view of anyone else yet, but I had to say, I was gonna turn heads. Ginny stood behind me, bouncing nervously up and down. She looked beautiful. She was wearing a beautiful black dress, that draped wonderfully across one shoulder. The bottom was a see through black material, with a bright blue fabric underneath it, making the most wonderful shade of teal. Her hair was curled and glittery, and her eyes, thanks to moi, were also teal.

I was wearing a gorgeous gown that was the darkest purple. It almost looked like a wedding dress. It had a silver sash that tied around the middle, and then hung down at my side. And glittering beads adorned the top. Finally I saw our cue. Tons of people were just standing around the hall talking. This was our entrance turn.

Me and Ginny linked arms and then made our way down the stairs. Neither me nor Ginny are exceptionally graceful, however, that moment we glided like swans. As we descended down the stairs, I saw Draco Malfoy and he had eyes only for me. Our gazes connected and for what seemed like years, our eyes met and a series of emotions passed through this connection. These emotions would be hard to explain even minutes after. But I can tell you, not a single one of them was disgust or hatred.

As we reached the bottom, Harry held his hand out for Ginny, and my date took mine. He stared at me, as though he was amazed to have such luck. We proceeded into the Great Hall, where the music for a song had ended. Everyone cleared off the dance floor and instead of taking a seat, my date wrapped his arm around my waist, and led me towards the middle of the floor. Music started up and we started to dance. I had never danced a day in my life before today. But here we were dancing, in front of the whole of Hogwarts, and I felt like I had rehearsed these steps for as long as I could remember. This felt so magical, so right, I knew that Fred was no longer on my shit list.

I now knew the whole scheme. The whole master plan. Those Weasley's sure knew how to prank and plan things out. And I was so glad that they did. I don't remember if it was the music or just the way people stared at us, or even if it was just being with him alone, either way that night was the happiest of my life.

Well there is another night that was better, but it'll come in due time. And if memory serves, barely 3 weeks time. But on to the matter at hand. A hand tapped my shoulder and it was Fred, asking to cut in. I realized more people had joined the dance floor, but the majority of the people had been staring at me and my partner. I looked at my partner who nodded and swung me into the arms of Fred. I saw him, bow to Katie Bell, Fred's partner, and began dancing with her. I was surprised. I didn't think this could happen. But then again, things were different now. Or at least they would be now.

Fred looked at me and smiled and I had to shake my head. "You had this all planned out didn't you? The moment you said yes for me, you knew exactly what would happen." I said accusingly and Fred merely shrugged, but his grin gave him away. I could see why he and his twin George had had so many offers to the ball. The twins were, in a sense, gorgeous. Even though they were like brothers to me, I was still able to say they were gorgeous.

"Maybe, maybe not. However, you still managed to get Draco completely speechless, which is a plus in our books." George said as he swung by me and Fred. He and Angelina Johnson were practically flailing about the ball room, making everyone jump out of their way. And yet somehow he had managed to stop to talk to me. I was flattered.

"Ah yes, George. That is a plus. And he keeps staring at you. No wonder though. He's obviously had a crush on you the moment you punched him." Fred said agreeing with George.

"And he's been madly in love with you since you walked down those stairs. And must I say, you look stunning, Hermione. Purely stunning." George said winking at me. I was blushing and practically burying my face in Fred's chest. Another tap on my shoulder, and I knew my date was asking for me back. I smiled and without asking if Fred was fine with it, swung over into his arms, and took in the sickly sweet scent that I recognized as him.

Everything about tonight was perfect. My date was perfect, I was perfect, this dance was perfect. How could I have been dreading it so? I remembered painfully how I despised tonight. How I wished someone would accidentally poison me so I wouldn't have to go. But now I was glad. I was glad for so many reasons. Reasons that I couldn't begin to explain. Reasons I didn't want to explain.

I could see eyes still staring at me. Girls jealous of me for I was dancing with, boys jealous of who my date was dancing with. People who were amazed that we had ended up together. Teachers stunned at how we moved. Everyone was staring. And it only made it worse, when we heard the familiar beat and melody of... the tango.

I knew it would be our dance before we had even danced. I remember watching a movie, where they explained the impeccable feelings made about the tango. Passion, lust, love. Then the jealousy, mistrust and hated. The undying emotions flitted through the air as we danced the most passionate dance we never knew. We were the only ones dancing, as we danced, Dirty Dancing style. There aren't words to describe the passion we felt that night. No feeling could be used to accurately show how I was feeling. Nothing could be used to describe the sensation I got when the song ended and he jerked his head towards the exit, towards the Great Doors. Another song started and people filled the dance floor once more. I nodded and allowed him to lead me towards the doors.

I followed him outside into the cool air where the moon awaited us with watching eyes. I followed him down the steps and across the grounds. I followed him through the forest, and to the lake. I followed him to the shore, where the moon splashed happily among the calm waves, and the fish jumped almost melodically. I could hear the song playing in my head, and I couldn't help but laugh.

He looked at me, his eyes filled with wonder and happiness. "What are you laughing at?" He asked me smiling. I could hear the laugh in his voice, he wanted to laugh too. But he first wanted to know what he would be laughing at.

I started to hum and the words came easily. "There you see her. Sitting there across the way. She don't got a lot to say but there's something about her. And you don't know why but you're dying to try. You wanna, kiss the girl." I sung to him. He laughed and wrapped his arms around my waist. I slid mine around his neck, and looked into his beautiful eyes. They were like his mother's. Gorgeous, and inviting. The moon reflected off them, and on any other day it would be an eerie color, but tonight it was happy, and calming.

Suddenly I felt myself being lifted into the air and found we were floating. But then I came to my senses and found we were flying. He had jumped off the deck and we were headed straight for the lake. I curled up in his arms and screamed, while he laughed and held me in his arms. I expected the cold water to envelope us both and send shivers down my spine. But instead I found myself floating through a murky water, warm and pleasant. I laughed, and ended up choking on water. He quickly swam up to the surface and helped me breathe. And we laughed even harder.

I wasn't expecting this at all. I wasn't expecting that this, this blind date, would turn out so magical, so wonderful. It was certainly a night of wonders, especially when his lips met mine. And for that moment, there was nothing else in the world. Just me and him. Us, just sitting on the shore of the Black Lake, enjoying a moonlit stroll during the most magical school dance. Literally. Our kiss deepened and one of his hands held my neck while his other arm, wrapped around my waist. My hand found his hair and I ran my fingers through his perfect hair. My other arm found its way to his chest. The warmth of his blood met my fingertips and his heart raced underneath my palm. We fit together so right, so nicely, there was no way this wasn't meant to be.

I'm not one for destined pairings, but if this one wasn't planned, I didn't know anything. And I'm Hermione freaking Granger! I know everything! Even if I didn't, there was one thing I did know. This was my night. My time to shine, my moment to show Hogwarts I wasn't just some bookworm! I was a beautiful young woman who could enjoy a wonderfully planned dance. And you know how I was spending that night? I was spending that night on the shore of the Black Lake, kissing the most wonderful person. I was spending my shining night, kissing my knight in shining armor. Well actually at that point he hadn't quite earned that title... but it stills sounds cool right?

I was spending my moment, kissing...

At that point the twins and all the rest of my friends, took it upon themselves to start singing a little song for me and my date. And I must say as funny as it was, I really wish I'd had my wand at that moment to shut them all up. But instead, we just kept on kissing ignoring the annoying song. Yet somehow when he took a breath, he whispered softly in my ear, "This is the best night of my life. I can't believe how lucky I am to be spending it with you, Hermione Granger." And we continued our public display of affection.

"And I can't believe how lucky I am to be kissing you, Draco Malfoy."

A/N: Please review!