Enjoy!

Draco couldn't help but stare at Hermione with a dropped jaw – she was stunning! She slowly walked down the stairs toward Draco, a nervous smile on her face. Her hair, which was usually bushy, was sleek and shiny, twisted up in an elegant knot. Her dress of a floaty, periwinkle-blue material simply complimented her natural beauty.

Realizing how stupid he must look, Draco forced his mouth shut and composed himself, brushing off his black velvet robes and standing tall, offering an arm to Hermione as she descended the last few steps.

"Err . . ." Draco looked off to the side. "You look . . . beautiful."

"Be honest," Hermione said through clenched teeth. She brushed her dress slightly. "Is it too much?"

Draco blinked at her. "No, of course not. You are perfect."

His confidence rushed back, and Draco led Hermione to their table, sitting with Ron and Susan, Harry and Ginny, and Neville and Luna. Draco pulled out Hermione's chair and pushed her in before taking his own seat, noting the other boys copying his actions. They engaged in light conversation while eating their dinners, everyone talking about a different subject. Once all the food had been consumed, Dumbledore waved his wand to move the tables and music began.

Ginny, who had been very quiet during the meal, smiled and pulled Harry out to the floor.

"I think we're supposed to dance," she said.

Hermione smiled as she watched Ginny and Harry start to dance. She looked at Draco.

"Shall we?" she asked.

Draco rose and offered his hand, Hermione following his lead. Together, they swept over the dance floor, on of Draco's hand's holding Hermione's, the other on her hip. The music was slow and classical, filling the room with beautiful song and vibrations. Hermione smiled at Draco, who smiled back.

As the night went on, Draco and Hermione found themselves tasting desserts at a corner table, music still playing.

"Try this, it's a fruit truffle," Draco said, holding out a spoonful of the dessert to Hermione, keeping a hand under the spoon.

Hermione opened her mouth and accepted the sweet and tarty treat.

"Mmm," she said, giggling when Draco used a napkin to dab her lips. "That's very good. Now, try this – it's a crème brulee. A very French dessert."

Hermione used a spoon to scoop up some of the dessert in question and offered it to Draco, who took it obediently. Draco hummed as he chewed, then nodded as he used his tongue to get pieces out of his teeth.

"A very sticky dessert," he decided.

"Maybe you should wash it down with this hot chocolate."

Hermione handed Draco a mug and picked one up herself.

"To us," they said, clinking the mugs and taking a long sip.

"And let's not forget," Hermione said, holding her cup out again, "to the games. No matter how barbaric they may seem."

Draco clinked his mug against hers and took another sip.

"They are tradition."

"Tradition or not, times are changing. No one wants their children competing in such games like these."

"Maybe not muggleborn parents, but pureblood parents see this as a great opportunity to show off their children. Besides, the competitors aren't exactly children anymore. They are of age."

"No one is of age until eighteen in the muggle world. Besides, seventeen is still child enough. No one is mature then."

"Wise words for the most mature Gryffindor."

"Well, almost no one is mature then."

The two laughed. Staring back out at the dance floor, they spotted Ron and Susan sitting on a windowsill chatting amiably, Neville and Luna were speaking to Fleur and Roger, and Harry and Ginny were nowhere to be seen. Draco frowned, swinging his head in different directions.

"What's wrong?" Hermione asked.

"Oh, nothing. It's just Harry and that Weasley girl – I don't see them."

"There's a lot of people here, I'm sure they are around."

"Do you see them? Hey, look!"

Draco pointed at the entrance of the Great Hall, where Sam was sitting in fox form staring at them. A sly smile grew on the fox when Sam noticed their staring. He stood and turned, motioning with his head for them to follow, his three tails brushing up against the door as he slipped away.

Draco looked at a smiling Hermione and they both quickly followed after the fox, leaving the Great Hall and running down the hall, keeping just the very tips of Sam's tails in sight. Several turns and stairways later, they found themselves on a balcony that oversaw the Quidditch Pitch lightly sprinkled with snow. Beyond that were mountains against a starry sky, shooting stars cascading down.

"Oh, how beautiful," Hermione smiled.

"Yeah, it is," Draco also smiled.

After a minute of watching the falling stars, Draco frowned and looked around. He was sure this was where Sam had led them, but the fox wasn't here.

"I think Sam wanted us to have some alone time," Hermione smiled, leaning against Draco. "I think we've been set up."

"Well," Draco smirked, wrapping an arm around Hermione's shoulder. "I kind of like this. Just you and I, no loud music, nosy professors, annoying, stuck up champions. This is nice."

"Yes, it is," Hermione smiled up at Draco.

Draco felt warmth spread over his face. Slowly, Draco lowered his head, Hermione raising hers. Their eyes slowly began to close as their faces came closer, Draco's heart fluttering in his chest. He noticed Hermione's eyes flick up and she paused with a frown.

"Is that . . . mistletoe?"

Draco blinked and looked up. Tied to the overhang above them was indeed mistletoe. And laying on the overhand was Sam, his head rested on his paws, his three tails hanging over the side. Sam smirked at them.

: Oh, don't mind me, he said, I was just leaving.

Sam stood and jumped down to the balcony rail. One of his tails burst in flames and lit a nearby candle conveniently sitting on a ledge. Sam hopped off the rail and trotted away.

"Meddling fox," Draco muttered.

"Well," Hermione smiled, drawing Draco towards her with her shining eyes, "he did set the mood. I mean, we are standing under mistletoe. I think we should follow tradition, just this once."

Draco snorted, shaking his head at the mistletoe as he stepped close to Hermione. He brushed his hand over the side of Hermione's face, a shiver running down his spine as he lowered his head toward hers. Their lips met. Her mouth was warm against his, her caressing lips softer than he imagined.

Draco's hands moved to Hermione's hips as they pulled away, keeping her close. They allowed the silence to speak volumes as they leaned toward each other again.

A loud cat-call cut through the air, followed by "Go Draco!"

Draco and Hermione jumped and glared at Harry and Ginny. Ginny smiled softly while Harry had a big grin.

"Does this mean you guys are a thing, now?" Harry asked.

"Harry," Hermione chastised, giving him an annoyed look.

"You know how to ruin a good moment, don't you? Get out of here! Where are you coming from anyway?"

"Astronomy Tower. Ginny wanted to show me the comet shower that was happening tonight. And just so we're all clear, we didn't have any mistletoe hanging above us."

"Will you get out of here!" Draco demanded.

"I think you guys are a good pair. I mean, you have so much in common. The brains, the . . . well, that might be it. Wait, did Sam set this up? Where is he?"

"Go!" Draco and Hermione said simultaneously.

"Okay, okay," Harry said, Ginny pulling on his hand impatiently to lead him away. "I'm going. Ron won't believe this!"

Ginny managed to successfully pull Harry away. Draco sighed and shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Some of us just won't grow up," he commented.

Hermione laughed. "I'm sure he'll spread the news for us. At least to Ron. And maybe the twins. But he's a good friend. He knows when to shut up."

"I guess."

Draco wrapped an arm around Hermione's waist, staring into the starry sky, Hermione resting her head against Draco's shoulder.

Well, there's the conclusion to this short. Sorry it came so late. As for my many other stories, I will be updating soon, I promise! Hang in there with me.