I totally apologize for my lack of updating skills...

I found out I like writing from DPOV a little more than HPOV...I'll try to keep it even, but that most likely won't happen lol.

Okay so I wanted to answer a few quick questions.

Yes, I always planned to continue the story after their breakup. I want you guys to know about the scrapbook that Ginny made Hermione make, the encounter with Lucius and Astoria, how Ron ended up moving in with her during the pregnancy, etc.

Yes, there will be lemons in the very near future (: There always are in my stories lol. I just want them to develop a better "relationship" before jumping right into sex, because there's a lot going on in both of their minds about the situation.

With that said, enjoy chapter seven (:


DPOV

The damn Halloween Ball was three days away, and I was already tired of hearing about it.

And tired of Pansy dropping hints about me taking her. Because that was definitely not going to happen.

The funny thing is, even if this...thing that I had with Granger wasn't happening, I still wouldn't have taken her. At least not this year, because things were finally different.

I couldn't help but admit that I was just a little curious as to what Gryffindor's Golden Girl would be wearing to the ball.

I snorted, probably some nun-like dress.

Then again she'd looked fucking amazing at the Yule Ball in Fourth Year, so I should probably keep my mouth shut.

I didn't even know if she was going though, because she seemed to be the only girl who wasn't talking about it ever bloody second of the day.

I guess that's why it surprised me when I walked into the Common Room to find Granger sitting on the couch with Weaslette, apparently discussing something pertaining to the Ball.

" - have to go! It will be amazing and you'll look fantastic!" squealed the red-head.

Granger looked up from her spot on the couch and noticed me. Her face paled considerably, but she spoke up anyway.

"Hey, Malfoy."

I nodded in response and then looked to Weaslette, "Hello,"

She eyed me for a moment before giving me what I assumed was supposed to be a nice smile and saying, "Hello,"

I walked into the kitchen and Weaslette continued her attempts at trying to get Granger to go to the Ball. I hoped she'd win the argument, because I wanted to see what exactly she meant when she said Granger would look fantastic.

Not that I didn't already think she -

What the hell am I doing? Granger does not look fantastic.

I mean she's not hard to look at and -

For the love of Salazar, I needed to stop thinking about her so goddamn much. It was starting to get a bit ridiculous, borderline crazy.

And the dreams hadn't stopped either. Those damn sexually explicit dreams that made me really just want to push her up against a wall and -

"Ginny, I don't want to! I'm not like you and the other girls, always wanting an excuse to dress up. It's just not my thing."

I had to agree with that. Granger was so unlike any girl I'd ever met...but that wasn't a bad thing. And if I let myself admit it, it was a pretty damn good thing.

"Mione, please? Do this for me. It's our last year, and how many chances am I going to get after we graduate to see you all dressed up?" pouted the red-head.

I heard Granger let out a resigned sigh, and knew she had given in before the words left her mouth, "Fine, I'll go alright?"

Weaslette squealed, "Oh this is great! We have to go to Madam Malkin's immediately."

I heard her sigh, but agree nonetheless, "Alright. Let me grab my jacket."

She walked into the kitchen to grab said jacket off one of the chairs, before she paused and looked at me, "Pray for me,"

I chuckled, "It can't be that bad."

She rolled her eyes and whispered back, "Can't be that bad? This is Ginny we're talking about here. It's like her dream to play dress up."

"What's wrong with that? She's a normal girl." I retorted, enjoying the spark it ignited in her eyes.

"What's wrong with it, you pompous little ferret, is that she wants me to be her life-sized doll."

I couldn't help but chuckle, "You'll survive. Besides," I said, closing the distance between us and placing my hands on her hips, "I can't wait to see what you'll look like."

I leaned down a kissed her softly, before shoving her out of the kitchen.

I only just caught her glaring at me as Weaslette yanked her from the Common Room.


HPOV

Dress shopping is hell. Plain and simple, it is hell.

There are too many options, too many styles, too many colors, too many fabrics - it was just too much of everything.

And Ginny seemed to be enjoying every second of it.

Typical.

I hated everything about shopping, especially having to try on dresses for a stupid party that I didn't even want to go to. I mean I had to admit, I was a bit interested to see what Malfoy would be wearing, because I knew he was going. I mean he had to. He never not went to things like this. But I had to admit that he would look amazing. As would Pansy no doubt. And Ginny. But me...not so much. The Yule Ball had already been enough of a problem, and a struggle, and I doubted I would get that lucky again with finding a dress.

It was really hard for me to see what exactly Malfoy saw in me. I mean as much as I hated Pansy - and girls like her - I couldn't deny the fact that they were pretty, and they knew it. I mean they weren't anything that special to look at, but they knew how to dress themselves up so that they did look that special. Especially to guys. And that just seemed to be something I wasn't really capable of doing.

But there he was, liking me. Kissing me. I mean what did he really see in me? Not too much though since we never really associated with each other outside of our Common Room.

Then again, I didn't really want to. It was just easier to not have to deal with what people would think. Especially his parents. It just wasn't worth the drama. Besides, half the time we didn't even like each other.

But in all honesty he wasn't as bad as he had been the previous years, which was an improvement, and sometimes it really did seem like he liked me - but maybe that's just because he liked a challenge, and I was the only girl who wasn't following his every command like some love sick puppy.

But anyway. I hate dress shopping.

And Ginny had already found her dress. In like...five minutes. And as much as I hated to admit it, she looked amazing in it, and it complemented her hair color so perfectly it was hard to think she wouldn't be the prettiest girl at the ball.

The dress was long, falling all the way to the floor in waves, in a lavender purple color, and cinched at the waist. There were a few sparkles in the fabric of the dress and it looked every bit as girly as Ginny would have wanted it.

But then there was me, and I was not so lucky. I'd tried on countless dresses, and none of them seemed to be the right one.

Merlin help me.

"Oh come on out Hermione. I bet this is the one!"

I sighed, but did as she asked, pushing open the door and stepping out in front of the mirror.

Ginny's mouth dropped open, and even I was a bit surprised at how...good I looked.

The dress was pretty simple, but then again it wasn't.

It was an all black cut out halter dress with silver beaded straps, and an open back. There was a silver beaded belt that started from her lower back and wrapped around forming an X at her waist that slid back around to her upper back, meeting the matching silver straps at her shoulder blades. The skirt shimmered slightly and fell gracefully to the floor, with a bit of a train in the back.

"That's the dress Mione." she whispered. "You look amazing."

I stared at myself for a moment longer before I nodded, "I think you're right."

"Well don't you look lovely." said Madam Malkin, coming up to me with a pair of red heels and a ruby necklace. "On the house."

My eyes widened, "I can't accept this."

"Well of course you can. You'll be the bell of the ball. Both of you will." she said, smiling at Ginny as well.

Ginny shook her head, "Thank you, but we both know Mione's going to steal the show. I mean just look at her."

I rolled my eyes, "Ginny please. You look amazing."

"You both do." said Madam Malkin, packing the shoes and the necklace into a bag, "Now get out of that dress and let me pack it up so you girls can get back."

I smiled and did as she asked, even though I wasn't particularly comfortable accepting such an extravagant gift, but the necklace really was lovely, and the shoes were a perfect way to show my Gryffindor spirit without it being obvious.

I came out and handed the dress to Madam Malkin while she and Ginny chattered on about the best way to do our hair. I took the time to do some thinking.

They both said I looked amazing, and I mean I think I looked good, but amazing wasn't really the word I would've chosen.

Then again Ginny always said I was my own worst critic.

I couldn't help but wonder if Malfoy would think I looked amazing, or if he would even care enough to look over at me to find out.

I mean even though we had this weird thing going on, it didn't really extend into our regular lives.

It was just one really confusing situation.

But I shoved that from my mind as I took the bag from Madam Malkin and Ginny and I headed back to Hogwarts with our dresses, talking about how fun the dance would be.

And you know what?

I thought she might just be right.


DPOV

I tugged on my green tie again, while listening to Blaise and Theo rattled on about how they hoped to be bringing girls home to their dorms tonight.

We were in my Common Room, and Weaslette and Granger were upstairs, and I was trying to stall to see what she looked like.

I ran a hand through my hair, trying not to pull it out, and turned to face them.

"Who are you guys eyeing tonight?"

Blaise smirked, "Lovegood."

"Loony Lovegood? You're serious?"

"You can't deny that she's pretty hot." he argued, flopping back onto the couch.

I thought about it.

I mean she wasn't ugly, but she wasn't my type.

Fuck, there I was saying it again. Not my type.

Well no shit. Nobody was my type except for her, the damn -

Nope. I'm not going to follow that train of thought again.

Just then I heard the door to her room open, but it was Weaslette who came out.

And I had to admit, she cleaned up nicely.

Theo must have thought so too, because his eyes seemed to be glued to her as she came down the stairs.

"Hey..." she said, a bit awkwardly. Not that I blamed her.

"Hey, lookin' good Red." said Blaise, an easy smile on his face.

Theo glared at him, but he didn't seem to notice.

Ginny smiled, "Thank you,"

I watched as she grabbed her purse and walked over to the door.

"Aren't you going with Granger?" I asked, pretending to fix my tie again.

"She said she'd meet me there, she's getting some things together." she said with a shrug. "Just tell her to hurry up, would you? Ron's probably waiting."

My mood automatically soured at the mention of Weasley. Were they going together? Like a date? Maybe I should have taken Pan -

No. Definitely not.

"Sure,"

She nodded and waved goodbye to Theo and Blaise, and then headed out.

Theo immediately punched Blaise in the arm.

"What the hell was that?"

"What the hell was that?" countered Blaise, rubbing his arm.

I, however, didn't catch the rest of their argument, because just then Granger was walking down the stairs.

And holy fuck she looked hot.

I mentally slapped myself. Hot? Really? That's the best I could come up with?

Well no. Actually it wasn't.

Amazing.

Fantastic.

Sexy.

...Beautiful.

Hell, what was happening that I was calling Granger beautiful?

But she'd always been beautiful hadn't she?

I focused back on her, and now she stood at the bottom of the stairs, apparently replying to something Theo had said to her.

"That's sweet. Thank you."

I shot Theo a look that I hoped said 'shut the hell up' and not 'I'm about to bash your face in'.

"You all look handsome." she said, her eyes lingering on me for a moment longer than my two friends, and I couldn't help but smirk.

"Of course we do Granger."

She scowled and walked into the kitchen, probably to grab her purse.

"Well come on then, we've got girls to chat up." said Theo with a smirk.

He and Blaise stood up, and I made some excuse about grabbing my wand from upstairs so that they'd leave me alone to go talk to Granger.

After they'd left I walked into the kitchen and saw her leaning against the counter, seemingly staring off into space.

"You coming?"

She jumped and spun around, "Oh, uh, well you see -"

"Granger, are you chickening out?"

She scowled - again - and said, "What do you care what I do?"

"I don't," I answered easily. Even though I knew that I did care. More than I probably should. "But you look...good, and it'd be a waste not to go."

Her face scrunched up, and I was about to ask what I'd said, when she started talking.

"Good. Right. I look good. That's...good." she tugged at her dress, and it was more than obvious that she wasn't comfortable.

What I couldn't figure out was why. I mean she looked great, and her body was fucking amazing, and she was definitely showing a lot of it tonight.

I ran a hand through my hair, "You look more than good Granger."

"But you just said -"

"You look fucking fantastic." I said, closing the space between us, my hands settling on her waist.

I heard her breath catch and she rested her hands against my chest. "I - uh - well -"

"Just say thank you." I whispered against her lips.

"Thank you," she whispered, before I leaned down the rest of the way and kissed her.

She slid her hands up until they rested on my shoulders, and then moved her hands up into my hair, while I slid my hands around to the exposed skin of her back.

I loved the way she felt. Her skin was smooth and warm and I just couldn't get over how perfectly she fit into my arms.

I'd think about how fucked up that was later.

Right now I was more interested in what her tongue was doing.

She moaned and the sound went straight south, and I knew I had to quit before I ended up walking into the Ball with a fucking boner.

That would not be happening.

I pulled back slightly and looked at her kiss swollen lips, and I had to smirk.

"What?" she asked softly.

"You look like you've been thoroughly snogged."

"I have been." she said with a smirk.

"Come on, we should go before people get suspicious."

She nodded and followed me out.

When we walked into the Great Hall we immediately parted without a word, her walking over to join Weasley, and me walking over to Blaise and Theo.

" - surprised she pulled it off."

"Surprised who pulled what off?" I asked.

Blaise smirked and nodded over toward Granger, "Her, she looks bloody brilliant, and none of us saw it coming. I mean look at everyone, they're literally staring at Granger. Who would have thought?"

I didn't know how I felt about all these other guys looking at what I knew I had no right to claim, but still did. At least in my head.

And in the Common Room.

Not that I could say that to Theo and Blaise.

So I simply nodded, "Yeah, she looks pretty hot I guess. So where's Lovegood?"

My change of topic seemed to fit Blaise nicely and he smirked, "Right over there. I'm just waiting for the perfect moment."

I rolled my eyes. "When she's alone."

"Exactly."

"I don't know how well that's going to work. Her and Granger are like inseparable lately."

To prove my point I nodded my head in Granger's direction just as she and Luna started dancing together, Weasley watching on with a smile on his face.

A smile that was no doubt for Granger and how great she looked in her dress.

I was having a fairly good time, and that's when I realized exactly what had been missing - at the exact moment she was screeching my name.

"Drakey!"

My mood darkened, but I turned to her nonetheless.

"Hey Pans."

She looked good I suppose. She had on some tight short blue dress that showed a little too much cleavage for me to be completely comfortable.

Which was stupid considering I'd shagged her on more than one occasion, so I'd definitely seen more of her than this.

But still.

"Can you believe what that whore is wearing?" she said.

And I already knew I wouldn't care. She gossiped like it was her fucking job.

"Who?" I asked anyway.

"Who do you think?" she snapped, "Granger."

I don't know what my facial expression showed, but it clearly wasn't what she had wanted.

"Don't tell me you think that slag looks good."

I sighed, "Nobody thinks she looks good Pansy. Everybody thinks she looks hot. And she does."

Her face transformed into a scowl I'd seen many times, and I knew she was going to make a scene.

"That mudblood is not hot. She's just an attention grabbing whore."

My eyes flicked over to Granger, who had obviously heard what Pansy had said.

"Oh really? And what are you pugface?" she snapped, walking over to us, Weaslette, Potter, Lovegood, and Weasley in tow.

"I'm sorry, were you talking to me?" asked Pansy, a fake smile on her face.

Granger laughed, "That's right, I forgot you were a bit stupid. Let me try it this way." she leaned forward and started pronouncing her words slowly, "I said, 'Oh really? And what. Are. You. Pugface'?"

"I know you're not calling me a whore Mudblood."

Granger just rolled her eyes "Well if the 'fuck me pumps' fit, wear them."

They had attracted a crowd, and quite a few people were laughing at Granger's quick comeback, including Blaise and Theo.

Okay, and me.

"At least I get fucked, you prudish bitch."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know guys liked to play with used toys. I'll have to rethink my way of living." she said, a smile on her face.

More people broke out into laughter, and I could tell Pansy was pissed.

"I may be a whore, but at least I'm a whore with parents."

At that, it seemed like everyone in the room froze.

Even I thought that was low. And that was saying something.

"You bitch. How dare you -"

"Ginny don't." Granger interrupted softly, "She's really not even worth it."

Without sparing anyone a second glance, she disappeared out the Great Hall doors.

Then everything seemed to happen at once.

One second Pansy was standing by me, and the next Weaslette was on top of her, punching her and pulling her hair.

And then Weasley was in my face for some reason.

"Maybe you should get a leash for your dog." he snapped.

I shoved him away from me while saying, "She's not my anything Weasel, so how about you back the fuck off."

I saw Lovegood slip from the room, probably going to find - and console - Granger.

Weasley was about to say something else when Potter grabbed his arm and Headmistress McGonagall was yelling for everyone to be quiet.

"Miss Weasley, Miss Parkinson, I do hope you've got a good reason to be fighting in the middle of this formal Ball."

Weaslette stood up and scowled at Pansy, "If she hadn't insulted my best friend, I wouldn't have."

"I insulted her? She called me a whore!"

"Because you called her one! And then threw her being parentless back in her face you no good bi -"

"That's quite enough Miss Weasley. Both of you to my office so we can sort this out. Everyone else, I suggest you behave, or there won't be another Ball."

With that she left, Weaslette and Pansy in tow, and the dance slowly picked up again.

Potter and Weasley had disappeared, not that I had time to wonder where they went because Blaise and Theo were walking up to me.

"Dude, what the hell was that?" asked Theo.

"Pansy talking shit. What else is new?" I said, trying to wave it off as nothing.

"Yeah, but Red never started a fight with her about it." said Blaise.

"I don't know. Look I'm really not feeling this anymore. I'm just going to go to bed."

Something in my face seemed to show that I really didn't want to be there, and they let me go.

The only thing on my mind when I was headed up to the Common Room was what I was going to say to Granger - or if I should say anything at all.

Fuck, this was going to be hard.


HPOV

I told everyone to get out.

And I meant it.

I didn't want any of them there.

I didn't want them to see me freak out. I didn't want them to see me break down.

I didn't want any of it.

When I got them to leave I went straight to the couch.

"Accio Fire Whiskey."

A moment later a mostly full bottle of Fire Whiskey flew into my hand.

I halfway wondered how Malfoy always seemed to have a steady supply of this, but I didn't really care. Not now.

I took a big swig, enjoying the burn as it slid down my throat.

I knew Pansy was low, and I knew she would say just about anything, but I never thought she'd throw that back in my face.

I never expected anyone to throw that back in my face.

I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't hear the portrait open.

"Granger?"

"Go away."

I heard Malfoy sigh before walking over to me, and kneeling down in front of me.

"No," and then he snatched the bottle out of my hand and vanished it.

"Malfoy what the he -"

"That's not going to help you." he said, his grey eyes holding mine.

"Leave me alone."

"No, your friends might be easy to get rid of, but me? Not so much Granger."

I stood up and walked over to the stairs, but he grabbed my arm and pushed me up against the wall.

"I'm sorry about what Pansy said."

"Shut up." I said. I didn't want to start crying. Not in front of him.

"It was wrong. And she had no right." he said, his hands holding my arms pinned against the wall so I couldn't go anywhere.

"Stop it Malfoy."

"No, because you obviously need to talk about it." he said.

"I don't need to talk about anything."

"Yeah, you do."

"Oh what the hell do you know about it? You never talk about anything that means anything to you. So please don't try and pretend to know what's best for me." I snapped, trying to tug my arms away from him.

No such luck.

"Your parents are gone Granger, and it's okay to be pissed about it, it's okay to be sad, but you need to feel something."

"You think I don't feel anything?"

"Of course you do. You just don't express it."

"Oh and you do?"

"It's not my thing." he said easily.

"Oh, but it's supposed to be mine?"

"Yeah, because it seems like you need it." he said softly.

And that's when I broke down.

First it was one tear, but then it was more, and then I was crying, and somehow I'd ended up in Malfoy's arms.

He ran his hand up and down my back, whispering sweet nothings in my ear, but never acting like it made him uncomfortable.

When I finally managed to calm down, I pulled away from him, but he didn't loosen his hold on my waist.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be." he said, studying my face intently.

I must look horrible.

"This is insane." he said softly.

So softly, in fact, that I'm positive he hadn't meant it for me to hear.

"What's insane?" I asked back, just as quietly.

He paused for a moment, running his fingers over my still wet cheeks, "You look beautiful, even when you're a mess."

My heart stopped.

Literally, I think I was legally dead for a good ten seconds.

Malfoy had just called me beautiful. And I looked like shit. I had to look like shit. I'd just been crying.

"Granger,"

But I didn't let him finish. I leaned forward and closed the space between our lips, and he reacted immediately, his hands moving to my waist and pushing me back further into the wall.

And as I felt his lips ghost across my neck, the only thing I could think - aside from how amazing it felt - was that something had happened tonight. Something big.

And I was pretty sure I liked where it was going.

Especially if he kept kissing me like that.

Oh yeah.

Whatever happened tonight was definitely a good thing.


And there you go, Draco finally realized a bit more clearly how he feels about Hermione. And I promise you, lemons are right around the corner (:

Review, tell me what you thought.