The next few days were excruciating for Hermione, every time she saw Draco she knew she flushed a deep tomato red. Neither of them had mentioned what had happened the other night but the tension was there. Meal times were the worst where they were forced to spend time trying to continue on with their normal routine and hiding it from Narcissa.

She of course picked up on the tension straight away, noticing how the two refused to meet each other's eyes and the way draco seemed to tense every time Hermione walked into any room. Something had happened to change their relationship from one of cold indifference to one of painful ignorance. She didn't bother asking either of them what was going on, they would both lie to her.

Hermione sat in front of the mirror breathing heavily as she tried to enchant her hair into a style she felt comfortable with. The curls had decided to be as difficult as possible staying put for only a few moments before collapsing in a heap around her shoulders.

She decided on a compromise settling the curls in a neat bundle around her shoulders, standing up carefully so she could get a better look at her frame.

The dress just got better each time she looked at it, she'd lost a little weight since she'd last tried it on, making the dress fit more comfortably around her hips. She sighed as she looked at her bare arms, turning she went to fetch the silken wrap she had bought to throw around her shoulders. As she grabbed hold of the wrap she caught sight of her bare forearm, the place where Draco had so tenderly caressed a few nights ago. She was unexpectantly transported back remembering the way he'd set her on fire and how she'd fled. Ignoring the rising emotions, she quickly threw the wrap around her shoulder's turning to stand in the mirror once again. Tonight was going to be fun she told herself, she was going to smile her way through it and not betray any of the odd feelings she was having since draco had kissed her. All she really wanted to do was scream at him why he had done that, it just confused the hell out of her and made this situation harder then it had been. Hermione didn't really need any more difficulties in her life at the moment. Readying herself for the night to come, she took a deep breath and prayed to all the deities that she could make it through the ball. Harry and Ginny would be there in case she found herself bored out of her wits; she just needed to get through the start.

Taking one last look at herself, she left the room, steadying her breathing as she closed the door behind her.

Draco and Narcissa were already in the foyer, waiting for Hermione to come down so that they could leave.

"Does that girl have absolutely no concept of time?" Narcissa asked, royally pissed off at how late they were already.

"Give it a rest mother" Draco said, not in the mood for any arguments.

Narcissa looked at him in shock, how dare he say such a thing to her, things had started turning upside down ever since the mud rat had arrived, she would be very glad indeed when this whole thing was over.

"I'm so sorry I'm late, had a little trouble with my hair" Hermione apologized as she came running into the foyer.

Draco felt his lungs seize up when he looked at her, her hair falling out in places, her dress accentuating every curve of that gorgeous body. With a great effort he got his lungs to suck in air again, looking away, it wouldn't do to have an uncomfortable erection in front of people.

"It seems you didn't quite master it, oh well let's go we're already late" Narcissa scowled.

Hermione made a face at her behind her back following them out to the car

Draco opened the door for her as she slid inside; happily observing that Narcissa did not join them.

"Isn't Narcissa coming?" she asked hopefully when Draco slid in next to her.

"She has her own car" he merely said, turning to look out the car window.

She was very aware of him as they began their journey, it was ludicrous but she could swear she felt heat emanating from him.

Draco was a man on death row. He'd known it from the minute he'd seen her dressed looking delicious in that damn gown. He found himself trying to recite potion ingredients again in his head, pushing the image of her writhing underneath him out of his mind. He had no idea how he had so suddenly begun to want her so badly. Purely physical of course it was only natural, since marrying her he hadn't had any women come visit him at the manor; it was only a matter of time before his body needed a release. But uh releasing himself in her was not a very good option, it would lead to too many complications, she didn't strike him as someone who was into casual sex and he wasn't into long term sex.

Hermione could feel her chest rising and falling rapidly, half suffocating herself to maintain even breathing so he didn't notice how nervous she was, sitting next to him, his leg inches away from her own, and his arm against hers, those lips so cold yet so passionate…

STOP IT!

She shook the image off, chastising herself for letting her mind wonder into such a disgusting corner.

"Are you ok?" Draco asked her, having noticed the way she had so violently shaken her head.

"Ah, yes sorry just blurred vision" she smiled, wondering if there had been anything more idiotic she could have said.

They rode the rest of the way in silence, Draco mastering potion making and hermione slowly suffocating. It was a huge relief to both when lights starting appearing in the distance and they arrived outside the Ministry, Hermione forgetting to allow Draco to open her door in her haste to get away from him.

"hang on Granger, you don't' want people to think we're fighting" Draco whispered in her ear, placing the palm of his hand on the small of her back.

Hermione made sure she smiled broadly as they made their way inside, deeply aware of his hand and strangely disappointed that it stayed in position.

"Draco, come there's someone here dying to see you" Narcissa met them at the entrance to the ballroom turning and obviously expecting them to follow suit.

Hermione scanned the room, checking to see if any of her friends had arrived yet, she couldn't see them anywhere. Smile still in place she turned just in time to see Pansy Parkinson sitting at what she presumed was their table, and looking (she had to admit) gorgeous. She had forgotten about her.

"Draco!" the pug gushed, throwing her arms around him.

Yes, she would definitely have to rip that girl to pieces, thought Hermione, the excruciating smile still in place.

Draco quickly undid Pansy's arms from around his neck, rigidly giving her a chaste kiss on her cheek.

"Pansy" he greeted.

"It's been so long, what have you been up to?" Pansy squealed completely ignoring hermione.

"Work, marriage, I believe you have met my wife" Draco put his arm around Hermione, making it clear where he stood.

Pansy's face dropped she continued to look at Draco and not at Hermione, slightly disconcerted by his behavior towards her.

"Yes I have, you didn't tell me you were shopping around for a wife" she said brusquely.

"He didn't have to shop for anything" Hermione retorted, turning to Draco "I'm going to find myself a drink, I'll be back"

Draco simply nodded in agreement, letting go of her and turning his attention to the rest of the table.

WHAT A BITCH! Hermione seethed as she made her way to the bar, she'd never really thought much about pansy who hadn't really registered on her radar much at Hogwarts, so her behavior towards her was troubling. Must be a pure blood thing.

"A champagne please" she asked the bar man, leaning against the bar and once again scanning the crowd.

Almost immediately she spotted Ginny, making her way over to her, looking very nice indeed in the dress she had chosen, a slight pang of envy went through hermione as she watched the young girl approach.

"Hermione, you look dazzling!" Ginny complimented, giving her friend a tight hug.

"You look amazing, harry must of lost his cool when he saw you" Hermione laughed.

"I haven't seen him yet" Ginny laughed mischievously.

Hermione nodded knowingly, so the red head had finally followed through on her threat, interesting.

"So where's this husband of yours?" Ginny asked, turning to look at the room.

"He's at our table talking to Pansy, thank you" she took the flute from the bar man and downed half of it's contents.

"Hermione" Ginny chastised.

"I cant stop him from speaking to an old friend" Hermione argued.

"Its not about that its staking your claim"

"On what Ginny?" Hermione asked. "He's not really my husband"

"But Pansy doesn't know that, now finish that drink I'll order us another one and go introduce me" Ginny instructed, ordering two flutes of champagne from the bar man.

Hermione did not argue, accepting she needed some help in standing up to the black princess.

They made their way back to the table Hermione's heart rate going a million miles per hour, and found Pansy still glued to Draco's side.

"Draco" she interrupted them, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder as she did so.

"Ginny wanted to say hi"

Draco stood to greet the red head, politely extending a hand to the girl.

"Its so nice to meet the love of Hermione's life, finally!" Ginny gushed, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"My pleasure" Draco drawled.

"I hope you don't mind me barging in like this but my date seems to be running a little late, excuse me" Ginny practically shoved Pansy off her seat, sitting down quickly and ignoring the exclamations from Pansy.

"Not at all, its always nice to meet a friend of hermione" Draco said absently, sitting down next to her.

Hermione had to contain her laughter as pansy angrily strode away still muttering to herself as she did so. Sitting down she took a sip of her champagne and relaxed.

"What's holding Potter up, it seems a bit strange for boy wonder to be late" Draco asked Ginny.

"Oh I'm sure Harry is here some where" Ginny replied cryptically.

Draco was about to ask her what she meant by that when the girl jumped up, having spotted her date across the room. "Oh there he is, I'll catch up with you later Hermione"

Hermione nodded, turning to spy who Ginny had chosen as her date instead of harry. Theodore Nott smiled down at the red head as she approached, throwing an arm around her as he talked, probably apologizing for his lateness.

"What's going on?" Draco asked Hermione.

"She's trying to give up on Harry" Hermione said quietly turning back to the table.

"I never thought I'd see the day when Potter was dumped by a girl" Draco smiled, fully satisfied.

"Stop Draco, your sympathy is a little too much" Hermione rolled her eyes.

"He's not worthy of any sympathy, Granger if he loved her he wouldn't spend his time doing what he's doing" Draco shrugged, grabbing her flute and polishing off the contents. Hermione didn't argue, after all Draco was right.

"Hermione, so glad to see you!" Mêlée said, having noticed them from her own table, "Draco always a pleasure"

"You don't need to pretend mêlée, we both know you can't stand me" Draco stood to give the older woman a hug, smiling what Hermione saw as a heart felt smile, something she had never see him do even with Narcissa.

"Well I cant really fall out with the man prized to be the richest man in the wizarding world" mêlée laughed giving him a playful slap.

"That's why I like you so much mêlée, you can be so honest sometimes" Draco returned the smile.

"I hope you don't mind Hermione but I must have a dance with this young man, keeping up appearances you know" mêlée winked at Hermione.

"I understand" Hermione laughed, nodding her approval.

She watched as Draco led the older woman to the dance floor, his face betraying a joy she had never really seen in him. It was just another question in a long line of questions she had about him, why was he so close to mêlée?

"Mind if I join you?"

Harry stood smiling down at her, dressed impeccably in black robes.

"You don't need to ask that Harry" Hermione said, pushing a chair out for him with her foot.

"Enjoying yourself?" he asked, taking two flutes from the tray a waiter was holding and handing one to her.

"Same old, different theme same scene" she shrugged, taking a sip of her drink.

"I see Draco's enjoying himself" Harry observed, looking over at the dance floor where Draco and mêlée were dancing.

"Yes, so who did you come with?" Hermione asked.

"Alas I am flying solo tonight" he revealed, sipping his champagne.

"That's your choice harry" Hermione said.

"Yes well I think its for the best anyway"

"The best for who?" she asked, setting her glass down. "Are you really ready to let Ginny go?"

"Hermione there's something I haven't told you about Ginny" he sighed, looking down at his hands.

"Well spill it!" she urged, wondering if Ginny had done something and not told her.

"I don't love her" he said quietly.

"What, that's absurd you've always loved her!" Hermione cried, shocked.

"No, I loved her a long time ago but in the past few years I've fallen out of love with her" Harry said.

"Why in the world would you keep her on a string like that!" Hermione rebuked him.

"I thought it would go away, that eventually once everything settled down the love would appear again" he answered softly, hunching his shoulders.

Hermione shook her head in disbelief, the nerve of him letting Ginny believe that some day they would be together when he knew he didn't love her.

"Can you not judge me, mione can't we just put this to one side till later?" Harry asked her, reaching out to hold her hand.

Hermione sighed and nodded, she'd be a real hypocrite if she didn't let it go, she'd asked him not to judge her once, also.

"Did you want to dance?" he asked, smiling.

"Alright harry but this conversation is not over" she said, rising from the table and allowing him to lead her onto the dance floor.

She placed one arm on his shoulder, looking to see if she could find Ginny anywhere, feeling such pity for the other girl.

"Remember the last time we danced?" Harry asked her.

"Yes, I was all sad because Ron had left" she laughed, memories filtering in about that night.

"I was trying to cheer you up" Harry nodded.

"And I was having none of it"

It had been one of the worse moments of the war, hiding out in the forest very upset that Ron had just walked out on them, on her and left them to their own devices. How times had changed, she thought back then she'd been head over heels for Ron fantasising about the day they would marry, but as often happens in life, it did not go at all according to plan.

"Is he still angry at me?" she whispered.

"I think he's more ashamed then anything, he's too much of a chicken to come see you" Harry comforted her.

"Can I have my wife back potter?" a sudden irritated voice interrupted their thoughts.

"Of course" Harry smiled at Draco, handing hermione over to him.

"We'll chat soon" he winked leaving them alone.

"We were just talking" Hermione huffed, recognizing his edginess.

"That's not what it looked like from where I was standing" he bit back, holding her tightly against him.

"I'm not going to explain myself again" she smiled, conscious of the other people around them.

"It looked as though he was whispering some romantic drivel in your ear" Draco said.

"I don't care how it looked" she replied, becoming aware of just how close to his own body he was holding her, she could feel his chest against hers.

"Remember whose wife you are, your not some tramp out on her graduation night"

"Draco, calm down people are starting to stare"

"Do you realize you had your chin on his shoulder?"

"I…" Hermione hadn't realised she had done that; it must have been the nostalgic chat they'd been having that had made her behave so familiar with harry.

"Is it too much to ask that you not act like that"

"I'm sorry I didn't realize I was doing that" she said quietly, bowing her head to hide her expression.

Draco let it go; it wouldn't do to make her cry in front of the entire wizarding society. His blood was still boiling from the scene he had witnessed as he danced with Pansy's mother. He'd noticed potter chatting to his wife, the way she had allowed the man to hold her hand, then they'd gotten up to dance, and Draco had tried desperately to control his anger so that he didn't suddenly leap across the dance floor and hex Potter. His self control had all ended however when he'd witnessed Hermione, resting her chin on the other man's shoulder looking at him through big brown puppy dog eyes. That's when he'd excused himself from mêlée and made his way over.

"Did you want to go back to the table?" he asked her.

She nodded, taking the arm he offered and keeping her head down as they made their way back to their table.

An hour later found her drunk and completely bored out of her skull. She'd tried engaging in the conversation but it all seemed so trivial to her.

"I'm going to take a breather" she whispered into Draco's ear, slowly standing and taking every step to the outside balcony slowly, for fear that she might fall over and further ridicule herself.

The blast of fresh air that hit her face as she stepped outside was complete heaven. It was nice to have a quiet moment to herself, to think everything over. Harry had really blown her away with his revelation; it was so cruel of him to be so unfair to her.

"Feeling out of your depth mud blood?"

Hermione rolled her eyes not even bothering to turn around and acknowledge the other woman.

"It always surprises me how you people can show yourselves in public" Pansy spat, coming to stand next to hermione.

"Give it a break pansy, I'm not in the mood for a cat fight right now" Hermione said, continuing to stare ahead.

"What I can't work out is why Draco would even look at you never mind actually marrying you"

"You just won't shut up will you?" Hermione flung at her, turning slightly to face her. "Your problem isn't with me at all; your problem is that Draco hasn't looked at you, that he hasn't married you!"

"You little cow!" Pansy raised her arm, ready to strike the other girl's face.

"Pansy!" roared Draco, grabbing Pansy's wrist before she could follow through. "What do you think you are doing?"

"Come off it Draco, its obvious there's some arrangement here, why would you otherwise marry her?" Pansy screamed, yanking her hand away.

"What I do is of no business to you Pansy, now please leave" Draco said, his tone menacing.

Pansy shook her head, "this is just ridiculous have your mud blood I'm sure Lucius is happy he's dead!'

The girl spat, fleeing before Draco had a chance to reply to her smear.

"She's a riot!" Hermione laughed, leaning back against the banister.

"Are you drunk?" he asked her, looking at her suspiciously.

"A little" she nodded.

"I think it might be time to take you home" he said, turning on his heal to leave.

"Why did you kiss me?' she asked abruptly.

Draco stopped mid step, she wasn't a little drunk she was very drunk; he doubted sober Hermione would have ever uttered those words to him.

"You're obviously very drunk Granger lets take you home" he walked over to her, grabbing her arm in an effort to get her moving.

"It's a simple question Draco, is the great cold icy Draco Malfoy incapable of a simple answer?" she mocked him.

Draco tightened his jaw; the woman really knew how to push his buttons.

"Do you want to know why I kissed you Granger?" he breathed still holding her arm, his face inches away from hers.

She nodded, laughter dancing in her eyes as she waited for an answer.

"It's simple Granger, I haven't had a woman in a long time it was simple lust that drove me to kiss you"

She was slightly taken aback by that response, not knowing what she'd really been expecting but a little disappointed.

"Oh"

"So if we're done with the questions I would really like to go home now" he said, backing away from her.

She just nodded, sadness welling up inside of her, which was stupid of course, what did she expect from him, a fluffy declaration of love? Is that what she wanted?