Author's Note:

OMG. I am so sorry. (: Been busy with school and stuff like that. Honestly, I have no idea for Draco and Hermione but I'm trying my best.

Hermione was speechless. She tried to register words to explain to her best friends (more like soon to be EX-best friends). She looked at Draco desperately before fixing her gaze to Ron.

"I can explain guys. We weren't snogging intentionally!" she exclaimed, glancing at Draco. "We had to do it- the stupid mistletoe won't get out of our way." She said, lowering her voice.

Draco didn't say anything but looked smug as he watched Ron fumed with anger. "She is right, Weasel."

"I am not talking to you, git." Ron seethed and turned on his heel. He was walking away, grabbing Ginny with him. Hermione's lips parted slightly and she caught Harry's eye. He didn't have any expression on his face. He looked well, blank. Hermione could feel the disappointment Harry felt for her in an instant when their eyes met.

Harry walked closer to his best friend. He patted her back, ignoring Draco completely. "I'll talk to Ron for you, alright Mione?" he asked and she nodded, he gave her a hug before trailing after Ron. Hermione sighed and glared at the floor, wishing that she were paired up with Pansy instead of him.

"I hate you." She muttered under her breath. Draco rolled his eyes, this wasn't the first time she said this to him. She looked up and glared at him with so much hate and anger in her chocolate brown eyes. "I really hate you." She spat.

Draco would usually shrug whenever she told him that but somehow, he felt a pang of guilt and despair when she sent a piercing a glare towards him. Why was he feeling this way? He wondered silently. Of course he knew the answer and he didn't like it. Nor would Hermione. He stared at her silently and cleared his throat, it felt awfully dry.

Hermione started walking out of the pub, him following behind her. She breathed slowly, her temples throbbing. She didn't like having fights with Ron, it made her feel so guilty. She glanced at Draco at the corner of her eye; he looked so handsome with his blonde hair covering his cold, grey eyes. She forced herself to look away; she didn't bother to deny the fact that she felt something between them.

Hermione stopped suddenly, resulting in Draco colliding with her. His hand brushed hers and she felt sparks. She resisted the urge to lock her fingers with his. Draco mumbled an apology and followed her gaze. He froze.

Was that Pansy lip-locking with Blaise?

Hermione thought that Draco didn't see it yet so she tried to move away quickly but she couldn't because Draco wouldn't move. She sighed and looked at her feet. He saw his girlfriend-to-be with his best friend made him queasy in the stomach. Even though he feels even queasier whenever he sees Hermione hugging her friends; Harry and Ron.

"Pansy." He said softly and shook his head, running his hand through his blonde hair. He saw the couple broke apart; Pansy saw him and stared at him, horrified. Pansy opened her mouth to explain but Draco beat her to it.

"Don't," he said and turned away. "Just stay out of my life." He muttered angrily, leaving Pansy and Blaise dumbfounded. Hermione looked at him.

"Are you okay?" she asked but quickly regretted asking him.

"Do I look like I'm okay?" he said angrily. He wiped his forehead. They reached Hogwarts in silence, as they walked past the entrance they strode to the common room.

She turned away from the Slytherin, sitting down on the sofa. She rested her elbow on the armrest and massaged her temples.

No, today was not a good day. She wished that this were a dream and that she would wake up in her common room on her bed surrounded by her friends. Instead, she wakes up and sees a Slytherin beside her that somehow makes her heart beat like crazy. Hermione rested her head on the arm rest and closed her eyes, drifting to deep sleep.

Draco stared at her sleeping frame, leaning against the table with his arms folded. He let out a frustrated sigh and reached for a blanket hanging on the chair, he walked up and sat on the couch.

He glanced at Hermione, noticing how angelic and soft she looked when she breathed. He put the blanket around her and rested his arm on the other armrest. If she slept here, than he'd have to make do. All he wanted right now, as strange as it may seem, is for her to feel comfortable around him.

"Ms. Granger, do you mind waking up Mr. Malfoy. He appears to be sleeping in my class." Professor McGonagall said before sitting down, preparing to grade their homework. Hermione nudged Draco and whispered in his ear.

"Draco, wake up."

He opened his eyes in an instant at the sound of his name. He looked around the room and groaned, running a hand through his blonde hair.

"Ah. Mr. Malfoy, had a wonderful dream?"

"Sorry, Professor. It won't happen again." He grinned and glanced at his side, Hermione was there.

"This isn't the first time you slept in class." She said, shaking her head.

Draco smirked. "Well then it's your job to keep me awake." He said softly, keeping away his books.

She rolled her eyes and looked away. For the past few days, both of them were civil towards each other. Ever since Hermione's encounter with Ron, she had been seeing less of them and more of Draco- well, she had no choice.

Harry and Ginny took the liberty to talk to her sometimes during the five-minute breaks. Draco didn't bother going to his friends; he was still angry at Pansy but at the same time relieved. Hermione opened her book and began to read.

Draco looked at the Gryffindor, noticing how often she twirls her brown curls around her finger, constantly licking her lips or scratching her nose. The girl, feeling someone staring at her, looked up and met those grey eyes.

"What?"

Draco jumped and shook his head. "Nothing." He muttered. Hermione shot him a long look before reading her book, her cheeks slightly pink. She had a small smile etched on her face. "What are you smiling about?"

She didn't answer. She did not say anything until dinner; they sat at the edge of the table far away from the stares of their particular houses. Hermione shifted uncomfortably as she ignored the looks Ron was giving them.

As they ate their dinner, Hermione heard a few girls chatting away behind her.

"Oh my god! Austin is taking you to the ball?"

"James is taking me to the ball."

"Are you kidding me? Oliver asked me… Should I say yes?"

"I wish Harry would ask me to the ball."

Hermione looked back at her food, playing with the vegetables. She completely forgot about the ball. She had no dress robes or a date. She remembered last year's Yule Ball with Viktor Krum. Hermione initially wanted to go to Hogsmede during the weekend to buy a nice dress but she was so caught up with her studies, she never had the time for it.

Draco noticed Hermione glancing at the girls chatting animatedly about the Christmas Ball. He watched her again, playing with her food. Did she have a date? A dress? He suddenly remembered her in the periwinkle dress she wore during last year's Yule Ball.

He hated to admit it; but she truly looked beautiful.

"I take it you are not taking Weasley to the ball?" he said. Hermione didn't answer him so he took the answer as a no.

"I heard Zabini is taking Parkinson to the ball."

"You heard correctly." He seethed and sent a piercing glare at them. It wasn't that he missed Pansy, he was angry at the fact that she sneaked behind him with his best friend. "Are you going to the ball?" he asked.

"Maybe." She said softly.

"Want to go with me?" he smirked, wriggling his eyebrows.

Hermione didn't catch the joke. "Wouldn't you get embarrassed to be seen with a mudblood like myself?" she snapped.

Draco swallowed his food. "I'm already embarrassed so what is there to be embarrassed about?" he said.

Hermione pursed her lips. "I need to buy a new dress."

"You have the money for it?" he asked, smirking at her. She glared at him. "Why can't you just use the old blue one?" he whined, feeling lazy to go all the way to Hogsmede to get a dress.

Hermione shot him a look. "Please." She said and he sighed before nodding. He didn't bother arguing with her. He used to love arguing with her but now whenever they did; he would feel so restless and bothered.

Hermione waited for Draco to finish his dinner. They both stood up and were about to leave the hall when she heard somebody call her name. She turned around and saw that it was Harry. Hermione beamed as he wrapped his arms around her.

Over his shoulder, she caught Ron's eye. He looked away. "Ron is still mad?"

"No. He's just being a coward." He said. "Don't tell me you're going to go to the ball with Malfoy."

"At least she's not going with Carrot Top over there." Draco drawled, his hands in his pockets as he leisurely leaned against the wall.

"It's not like I have a choice." She complained. Harry gave her a reassuring smile. "I'm going to buy a dress tomorrow." She told him.

Harry's face brightened with glee. "Do you mind if I come with you? Then I can keep an eye on him." He offered. Hermione didn't have to think it through, she agreed. "I won't tell Ron of course, he would go damn wild." He whispered and squeezed Hermione's shoulder before leaving them.

Draco, watching how Harry gave her a hug, made him sick in the stomach. Though he knew they do not have romantic feelings about each other but it is the way that they communicate; Hermione looked happy when she saw her best friend. When Hermione sees Draco every morning, he could see the sadness in her eyes.

It only means one thing.

Jealousy. Why was he feeling jealous? He has no feelings for the girl none whatsoever, right? Draco didn't know the answer. He doesn't plan on knowing the answer anytime soon.

The whole journey to their common room was silent as always, they took turns going to the bathroom and they both slept on their huge bed.

Hermione opened her eyes slowly; everything at first was a blur before it became clearer. She rested on her elbows and looked around, as if she didn't remember where she was. Her hair was all over the place, she heard someone shift next to her. Her eyes widened like saucers when she saw the face of Draco Malfoy, half naked or maybe naked! She wouldn't know because the covers were covering them.

She screamed.

"Granger. Stop screaming." A voice said, a rather irritated voice hissed in her ear. She immediately opened her eyes and touched her body. Her clothes were still on. She turned to Draco and he had his clothes on.

"Oh my god." She said to herself, hugging her knees.

"Are you done?" he asked, irritated.

Hermione looked up at him with question in her eyes. "Don't you want to buy a dress?" he asked again and she recalled Harry wanting to go with her.

Hermione jumped out from the bed and sprinted to the bathroom. Draco waited outside the bathroom door, leaning against it. He ruffled his blonde hair, folding his arms. He glanced at the mirror, he looked handsome enough, he thought.

Handsome enough? He thought again. By the time he answered the question that pondered in his mind, the bathroom door opened and Hermione was clad with a blue sweater and jeans. She combed her wet brown hair, taking her wand and dried it. She took her hair clip and clipped her brown curls up.

She reached for her sling bag, struggling with the zipper. Draco reached over to unzip her bag, his fingertips brushing hers softly. "Thanks." She murmured and checked her reflection before walking towards the door.

Draco followed her, his hands stuffed in his pockets. "Where is Potter meeting us?"

"Probably at the entrance." She muttered and caught sight of a green-eyed, raven haired boy. She waved her hand in the air, catching his attention. Draco snarled under his breath as he watched the two hug each other.

"Ready?" Harry grinned at the both of them, mostly to Hermione. They made their way to Hogsmede, Draco was quiet in the whole ride while Harry was giving her updates about Ron and Ginny. Draco resisted the urge to stuff Hermione's bag in Harry's mouth.

"Hey look, there's Cho." Harry said, pointing at a very pretty Chinese girl. Hermione smiled sadly at Harry before elbowing at her direction.

"Go talk to her." She said. "I survived with him for months, I guess I can be alone with Malfoy for at least ten minutes."

Harry didn't bother acknowledging the very bored Slytherin as he jogged over to the Ravenclaw. Hermione turned to Draco.

"Could you hurry up and buy the stupid dress already?" Draco snapped angrily and she huffed with annoyance, walking into Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, a small tinkle was heard as they entered.

The shopkeeper smiled as she clasped her hands together. "Buying a dress for a ball, I presume?" she asked them and Hermione nodded. When the clerk saw Draco, a flicker of fear was detected in her eyes. She greeted Draco politely before attending to Hermione.

Hermione looked at the dresses and thought they looked pretty decent. She glanced at the dress displayed at the corner and studied the dress. She pointed at it and the clerk gave it to her for Hermione to try on.

Draco sat on the chair closest to the changing room. He honestly felt like a boyfriend, waiting for his girlfriend to model the dress. He waited for Hermione to come out, wearing the dress. When Hermione came out, Draco's eyes traveled to Hermione's body.

Even though she wasn't wearing any make up yet, Draco thought she looked truly beautiful.

She wasn't skinny nor fat, the dress fit her perfectly. Draco had a genuine smile on his face as he gave Hermione a once over. Hermione saw Draco's face and blushed. She asked the clerk for the price of the dress and got the shock of her life.

It costs a bomb. Hermione hid the disappointment on her face and smiled at the clerk. She walked back in the changing room and carefully got out of the expensive dress robe. Draco saw the sadness in her eyes and watched her return the dress. He noticed how her eyes sparkled when she saw herself in the mirror.

He wanted to see that again. He wanted to see her happy. He did know why but he didn't want to say it. He shouldn't say it. Draco stood up and walked over to the clerk.

"How much is that dress?" he asked. Hermione stopped on her tracks and looked at Draco.

"400 Galleons." The clerk replied.

Draco took out the money and handed it to the clerk. She immediately started folding the dress carefully. Hermione gaped and walked over to Draco, shaking her head. "What are you doing?" she asked.

"Buying your dress." He said.

"Why?"

He didn't answer her as he took the parcel from the clerk. He held onto it and walked out of the shop. Hermione trailed after him, he was sitting on a bench in front of the shop. "What?" he said when she stared at him. Hermione took a seat next to him.

"Why did you buy the dress?" she demanded and he shrugged. "I'll pay you back."

Draco shook his head. "Just shut up and take the dress, Granger." He smirked and gave her the package. Hermione blinked twice before holding the package. She looked down at the brown parcel and couldn't help but smile at him.

"Thank you, Draco." She said softly, fingering the white ribbon. She noticed how close they were, she glanced up and blushed as Draco looked at her. Impulsively, Draco let his fingers intertwined with hers. He no longer cared what other people would think; he'd been fighting with this for so long.

He leaned closer. He wanted to feel her soft lips on his. His lips were hovering over hers, his lips ever so gently brushing hers before pulling away.

Over her shoulder, he saw Harry making his way over to them. From the look on his face, Draco knew he didn't see them. Hermione licked her lips, following his gaze. She pulled her hand away quickly and smiled at Harry.

"What did you and Cho talk about?" Hermione managed to choke out. Draco sat on the bench and watched the two of them talk. He breathed deeply, massaging the temples of his head.

He felt something for her. And the look that Hermione gave him when they were walking back to the castle. Draco knew instantly that she felt something for him too.

Author's Note;

Nothing much. (: Please review. Thousand apologies to my readers. I hope you like this one.