A/N- The chapter title has absolutely nothing to do with the chapter... I just wanted to name it that xD

Chapter 7

"Um, we should get down to the Great Hall. You know to make sure everything is alright." Hermione turned quickly and walked out.

Picking up her heels as she went, Hermione stumbled as she tried to walk and put on her shoes at the same time. Only Draco's arm around her waist kept her from taking a nasty tumble.

"Well, why don't we take our time, so you don't hurt yourself. I prefer to be elegantly late. It makes a statement."

"What, that you can't get ready on time?" Hermione said mischievously.

"No, that I have better things to do."

"Like what, studying?" Hermione scoffed.

"Please. I don't need to study. I was thinking more like opening presents."

"Look we agreed that we would wait until Christmas morning to open gifts."

"I know but I want one now." Draco whined.

"I don't know why I put up with you." Hermione said and rolled her eyes upward.

"Because you love me." Draco said with his signature smirk.

"Oh, yeah that must be it." Hermione quipped.

"If you absolutely must open a present then go ahead."

Hermione walked over to the little tree they had decorated several weeks ago. There were several presents stacked underneath. Hermione grumbled as she reached under and picked up a flat package for Draco. She couldn't suppress a laugh as she saw him bouncing on the couch in apprehension.

"Here and I hope you like it. You are incredibly hard person to shop for. I think owning one of everything in the wizarding world has something to do with it." Draco ripped off the paper, scattering it about him.

He stopped dead as he stared carefully at the gift in his hands. It was a simple wooden picture frame with only one picture in it. Colin had been taking pictures for the Hogwart's school paper and had come to get a shot of the two Head's working on Yule Ball preparation.

Hermione and Draco were seated close together and Hermione was almost leaning in to Draco. They both had pleasant smiles on their faces and looked genuinely happy.

"I had forgotten that we took that picture." Draco said softly. "I really like it. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"So now you get to open one." Draco said his excitement returning. "Here open this one." Draco reached under the tree and pulled a small slim box from the pile. He thrust it into her hands and looked on excitedly.

In contrast to Draco, Hermione carefully undid the wrapping, lying neatly beside her. The box she held in her hands looked suspiciously like a jewelry box. Hermione flipped open the top of the box and gasp at the necklace inside. It had a silver chain and nestled on the soft white velvet was a moonstone.

It wasn't large but the swirls of silver and black were captivating. He lifted the necklace from the box and leaned forward to fasten it around her neck. Hermione shivered as his fingertips brushed her neck and then slid down to settle the charm against her skin. It hung close to her throat, drawing all the attention up to her face.

"Thank you Draco. I love it." Hermione said very quietly not sure how to understand all the feelings running madly about in her heart.

"I thought you might. I thought it would match your dress." Draco told her sincerely.

Draco stood up extended a hand to the seated Hermione and pulled her to her feet. "I think it's about time we go to that dance." Draco said gallantly. Hermione pulled on the mask of a half moon that covered the right side of her face and Draco masked the top half of his face with a star.

The Yule Ball was in full swing by the time the Head Boy and Girl arrived. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely, even the teachers. Hermione and Draco swept into the room and onto the dance floor. The Whispering Spirits, a relatively unknown band, struck up the agreed upon song to get the dance officially started.

In the spirit of the dance they had chosen an old waltz. Draco twirled Hermione about the room, the masked faces going by in a blur. The feel of Draco's arm pressed softly against her back and his warm hand holding hers helped to alleviate her nervousness.

Merlin only knew what she was so worked up about. Harry and Ron knew about her deal with Draco, Ginny was convinced that they were having a romantic love affair, and as far as she knew the Headmaster thought everything was much better. Plus, it's not like everybody doesn't know our living arrangements and that we've been working together.

I just need to take a deep breath and calm down. I've got no worries tonight, Hermione thought. Just then the song ended and as Draco bowed to her Hermione executed a curtsy. The band broke into a rowdy favorite of the students' and Hermione moved towards the side of the room where she saw Harry and Ron standing.

"Mione, you look beautiful." Harry and Ron said at the same time.

"Thanks guys. Having fun?" Hermione asked with a grin.

For some unknown reason Parvati Patel had asked Ron to the dance and as everyone expected, Harry had asked Ginny. Both girls looked stunning and were trying their hardest to get their dates out on the dance floor.

"You've done a great job. Shouldn't you be with your date?" Ron asked.

"Ron, you should know better. Draco is not my date. We had to go together." Hermione said slightly exasperated. "Besides he's probably with Pansy." She finished with a grimace.

"Oi, look it's snowing!" Ron said staring out through the window.

"Really?" Hermione asked excitedly. "Let's go have a look."

The Golden Trio left the hall and went out the main doors of the school into the softly falling snow.

The last thing Hermione saw before the blackness overcame her was the sight of Draco being struck in the chest by a green beam from his father's wand.

Then pain from the crucio curse overcame her and the silence of unconsciousness took her away from Draco and the softly falling snow.

A/N- Ooohh Cliffhanger... I assure you, Draco did not suddenly get all romantic. He had ulterior motives in mind when giving Hermione the necklace :3 Please please please review!