Waiting for Draco to come down to start the movie, Hermione decided to make some popcorn. Once she had a bowl of popcorn ready, she searched the cabinets and found some of their sweets. Bringing that into the common room, she went back and grabbed a couple bottles of Pepsi.
She knew that Draco had yet to try it, so she decided now would be a good time as any. Walking into the common room she sees Draco sitting on the couch already munching on a licorice wand. Smiling she hands him the bottle of soda.
"What in Merlin's name is this?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Just try it. You may like it." She twisted off the cap and took a small sip. Seeing Hermione take a small sip, Draco did the same.
"Bloody hell! This is a muggle drink?" Hermione just laughs and nods. "Alright, I'll give you that. It's not bad. Now can you please start the movie?"
After watching Die Hard with a Vengeance, Hermione decided to grab some more popcorn and another bottle of soda for Draco while he picked out another movie. Placing the movie into the player Draco waited for Hermione hopping she would like the movie.
Once the movie started Hermione let out a laugh. "I never picked you for a sap Malfoy." She poked at him.
"What are you talking about? This is a pirate movie is it not?"
Chuckling Hermione shook her head. "No Draco. The Princess Bride is most definitely not a pirate movie. Just watch it. You may like it."
Halfway through the movie Hermione started to get uncomfortable and a little sleepy. Curling up into Draco's side to use his shoulder as a pillow, she quickly fell asleep with a small smile on her face.
Draco was in shock, but was extremely happy about this new development. Putting his arm around her, he decided to get more comfortable and after about two minutes of maneuvering, he had them lying down on the couch with her back pressed against his chest.
Accioing a blanket and pillow from his room, he turned everything off and pulled Hermione closer smelling her hair that smelt like roses. Smiling he kept his arm wrapped around her waist and fell into the first peaceful sleep he'd had in months.
Hermione woke the next morning feeling refreshed and snuggled deeper under the covers not wanting to get out of bed. When she moved she felt an arm tighten around her waist and she opened her eyes again quickly trying to determine where she was.
Turning her head she saw blonde hair and smiled. As gently as she possible could and without falling off the couch, Hermione turned herself over to watch Draco sleep. He had a soft smile on his face and as he snuggled deeper into the pillow, she couldn't help but notice how handsome he was in his sleep.
Deciding she should get up to get the breakfast she tried to get up only to be pulled back down by the arm wrapped around her waist. "And just where do you think you're going?" Draco mumbled in his sleep.
"To make breakfast for us Draco. You have to let me up." Hermione said softly.
"No. Stay." He pulled her closer and kissed her forehead before falling back to sleep. Sighing Hermione laid her head back down and tried to go back to sleep. After ten minutes of lying there not being able to go back to sleep, she slid out of his arms carefully.
Heading upstairs to shower and change, she couldn't keep the smile off her face. She was surprised at how good it felt to be in his arms while she slept. When she walked into her room she noticed a sleeping Athena on her bed. She smiled at the owl and quietly went about gathering her clothes for her shower.
Once she was showered and dressed, she walked back into her room to Athena still sleeping. Gently she pet the owl that slowly started to wake up. Once awake Athena stood up and held out her leg for Hermione to take the rolled parchment. Thanking Athena and giving her a couple of treats Hermione sat on her bed and read the letter.
Merlin! He wants to dance with me? Oh my…I need Ginny.
Quickly writing a note to Ginny she asked Athena just this once to deliver a letter to Ginny and then come back so she could respond to Hemingway.
After what seemed to be an hour there was a knock on the portrait door. Hermione quietly opened it so as not to wake the still sleeping Draco. Hermione signaled to Ginny to keep quiet and pointed to the couch.
Ginny nodded her head and followed her up to her room. Once the door was closed Hermione put a silencing charm around the room and handed the letter to Ginny who squealed loudly.
"Do you think I should? I mean what if he doesn't like what I'm wearing, or Merlin help me, what if he finds another witch. Ginny, what do I do?"
Ginny laughed as she watched her friend pace back and forth. "Mione calm down. Seriously. The only thing you need to worry about is what you are going to wear on Friday."
The girls spent the remainder of the day in Hermione's room trying to do several things to with her hair. Once it was decided, as to what they were going to do with her hair for the first dance and then afterwards, Ginny said goodbye so she could spend some time doing her homework.
After Ginny left Hermione went in to take a quick shower and then headed to bed exhausted forgetting about her response to Hemingway.
Draco had woken up just as Ginny and Hermione were heading upstairs. Smiling he brought all of his stuff back upstairs, showered and then headed outside for the day. He was extremely happy that he got to spend the night with Hermione.
Sitting under a tree, Draco opened the book that he had brought with him. He didn't notice the time flying by until his stomach started to growl. Closing the book he went to the kitchens and grabbed a small bite to eat before returning to his room for the night.
He fell asleep with the knowledge that Friday may just change everything. He just hoped that she would be there.
The rest of the week seemed to drag by slowly for everyone. Friday afternoon there was a buzz in the Great Hall at lunch. Everyone was excited about the ball. After lunch the Prefects and the Heads decorated the hall. Once everything was almost complete Hermione slipped out to start getting ready with Ginny.
Once Ginny was done she waited for Hermione to decide which dress she should wear. After what seemed like forever Ginny stood up and grabbed the green dress off the hook and handed it to Hermione. "You have to wear the red one for Hemingway Mione. Just wear this one for your dance with Draco."
After agreeing Hermione slipped the green dress on and a pair of ballet flats and looked in the mirror. She smiled at her reflection. Ginny had gotten her hair to co-operate and it was pulled up with ringlets cascading down with very little make up on. Ginny wished her good luck put her mask on and headed down to the ball.
Once Ginny left Hermione looked at the clock and decided she should finish up and head down. Putting on a white gold emerald choker, she headed down the stairs. Draco was waiting at the bottom for her. When he looked up he suddenly couldn't breathe. She was wearing his house colors.
Swallowing before taking her hand and kissing it once she reached the bottom, Draco smiled at her "You look beautiful Hermione."
Hermione blushed and smiled at him. "Thank you Draco. You look handsome tonight."
He smiled and took her hand. They had decided ahead of time not to wear masks as everyone would know who they were anyway. Once they made it to the great hall Professor McGonagall smiled at the Head students before opening the hall doors to begin the ball.
Hermione's breath caught in her throat when she saw the finished product. She didn't think it would look this beautiful. The ceiling had been charmed into a beautiful sunset giving the room a soft glow. The round tables that lined the room were draped in red, silver, blue and black table cloths. The center pieces were glass bowls filled with lilies and a floating candle charmed not to catch the flowers on fire.
She continued to look around the room taking everything in as Draco led her to the dance floor. Smiling he got into position with Hermione. Once the music started, Draco led them around the dance floor.
"It looks beautiful in here Draco. You did and amazing job." Hermione smiled at him. He just nodded and continued to lead her across the floor. Not really paying attention to those around them, but to the stunning woman in his arms.
Once the song was over Draco asked for one more dance, which she gladly gave him and then went their separate ways for dinner. Deciding to stay a little longer before she went to change Hermione danced with a few people and even had one more dance with Draco.
Heading upstairs with Ginny, Hermione changed into her other gown. She loved this dress and was excited that she could wear it tonight. It was a full length strapless dress that had a tight silk bodice and then flowed gently down starting at her waist. The scarlet red dress looked stunning and Ginny helped Hermione change her hair so that it was pulled into a half bun and then remaining curls flowed down her back.
Ginny slipped the sliver mask over Hermione's face and smiled at the finished product. Hermione was going to knock them dead. Once they were done, Ginny went down first and about twenty minutes later Hermione went down. It was already 9:45. She looked around at all the masked men, but couldn't find Hemingway. She bit her lip as she watched and waited.
With a minute to go Hermione to a breath and headed to the center of the dance floor. When she got there, she didn't see anyone with the mask he told her about. She was starting to panic when she felt a tap on her shoulder.
Taking one last breath she turned around and looked at the man in front of her. He was dressed in an Armani tux and was holding a wrist corsage made up of pale white English Tea Roses and Baby's Breath. He was tall and lean fitting into the tux perfectly. She bit her lip as she looked at his face, well what she could see of it.
He had pale skin that she wanted to touch; his hair was brown and looked like he had been running his hands through it. But it was his eyes and smile that took her breath away. He had soulful grey eyes and a soft smile on his lips. The mask he was wearing brought out his eyes even more. She felt stunned that this gorgeous man had been writing to her.
"Hemingway?" He nodded and smiled. He gently took her hand and slipped the corsage on her wrist. She smiled brightly at him telling him they were her favorite flower.
She slid into his arms and smiled as he pulled her closer. "Hello my love." He whispered softly. "You look incredible in this dress."
She blushed and smiled. "Thank you. How did you know it was me?"
"As I've told you before, even the most breathtaking sunset couldn't match your beauty." He smiled looking into her eyes. He was elated to have her in his arms, where he hoped she'd be for the remainder of the night.
Hermione smiled at him and placed her head on his shoulder. Together they danced all night until just before midnight. Hemingway pulled Hermione out onto the balcony and looked up at the sky. "I wish this night could last forever my love, unfortunately I am going to have to leave before the reveal. My situation unfortunately hasn't changed."
Hermione nodded with tears in her eyes. She didn't want this night to end. "Will I ever see you again?"
He brushed a tear off her face and smiled. "Of course my love. We'll be together soon one day." He leaned down and softly brushed his lips against hers. He pulled back slightly only to be pulled back in for a deeper kiss. Both moaned at the feeling.
Once they broke apart Hermione spoke softly. "Please Hemingway, don't leave. Stay."
He shook his head, kissed her again softly and whispered "Have sweet dreams my love. I will see you soon. I love you." With those parting words he slipped back into the dance and back up to his room. He felt like he was floating as he left the great hall.
Hermione stood on the balcony as the reveal happened and heard the gasps in the room of people shocked at who they were with the whole night. Ginny spotted Hermione and waved. Frowning as Hermione just walked out of the hall and back up to her room.
