Chapter 11: Plans and Problems
Several weeks passed and November had turned into December. Hermione and Draco were still debating when to bring their relationship into the open. Surprisingly Blaise had kept quiet and hadn't informed the entire school. The second Hogsmeade trip was planned for the upcoming Saturday while a holiday ball had been announced for the evening before break started.
A large sign displaying information concerning the ball was hung in every common room one night, including the Head common room. Hermione awoke the following morning and read the new notice.
Attention Students:
Hogwarts is hosting a holiday ball this year, from seven o'clock until midnight on December the twenty third. It is to be held in the Great Hall and only fourth years and older may attend. All students that are not permitted to come will have a celebration in their common room, which will be organized by the heads of houses.
Girls must wear formal dresses or skirts and boys must wear dress robes. There will be no alcoholic beverages allowed, and anyone acting inappropriately will be sent to their dormitories and given a detention for after the break.
There will be food served and The Weird Sisters will be the musical guests along with a small orchestra. The staff and I hope to see all of you there and look forward to a night of mature fun.
Sincerely,
Headmaster,
Albus Dumbledore
"What are we going to do?" Draco called from behind Hermione, causing her to jump. He walked over and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips.
"I guess, we'll either go alone" Hermione paused to consider the other choices "Find dates just for that night, or we could finally tell everyone how—"
"I'm not ready to let the whole school know." Draco rudely cut her off.
"Fine. Then if we get asked, we'll go with whoever (that is if we want to…), or we'll go to hang out with our friends."
"That means I'll sit there watching Blaise and Pansy make out the entire night and you'll be left with Weasley. Sounds wonderful!" He smiled sarcastically.
"Not if you ask another girl and I get asked by another guy."
"I want to go with you and only you but seeing as that's not going to work out then I guess I'll have to settle for sitting by myself at a table, murdering whoever your date is, with my eyes."
"And why are you so sure that I'll be asked by someone?" Hermione sighed, staring into Draco gray eyes.
He smirked and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Let me just say that I've heard some of your Gryffindor friends talking about you in the hallways and it's been quite a difficult task to stop myself from beating the crap out of them. Plus, you know Weasley has liked you since he first laid his eyes on you."
"He has?"
"Are you that oblivious?" Draco asked, earning a kick in the shin, "He'll probably be the first to ask you, once he works up enough courage. Aren't Gryffindors supposed to be brave?"
"Stop picking on him!" Hermione exclaimed while pulling his arms off of her. "Ron is one of my best friends and if you're dating me then you're going to have to respect the people I hang out with." She stalked off for her room to prepare for classes.
"Hermione!" Draco groaned and chased after his angry girlfriend. "I'm sorry, I'll stop making jokes out of Potter and Weasley."
"Their names are Harry and Ron!" She yelled through her now locked door. "And stay out; I'm changing into my robes."
Draco sat, watching the flames dance in the large fireplace. The Hogsmeade tip was the following day and he didn't have Quidditch practice scheduled seeing as Slytherin final match of the season had been the previous weekend.
"You know the Hogsmeade trip tomorrow?" He asked loudly so that Hermione could hear properly.
"Yeah?"
"I think you should tell Potter— I mean Harry and Ron that you're sick."
"Why?"
"So that you and I can go for a walk on the grounds. I doubt anyone will see us and even if they do, it will probably be a little second year or something. Third years and up are all going so if we're spotted, it won't be by anyone that would actually care."
"What about your friends? What are you going to tell them?" Hermione opened the door in her clean school robes.
"They won't even notice I'm gone. Blaise and Pansy are always snagging the living daylights out of each other and I could go running circles around them while naked and they wouldn't notice. We better get to class soon though. I don't want another detention with Snape and you… or do I?" A playful smirk spread across Draco face as he led Hermione to the portrait hole.
"Okay, I'll tell my friends I don't feel well, but if we're spotted, it's your fault."
"We won't get spotted…" He said for what seemed like the millionth time.
"How are you so sure?"
"I'm psychic, didn't you know?"
"You're a loser…" Hermione rolled her eyes.
"That means that you're dating a loser then." Draco laughed and Hermione gave him a shove into the hallway. "See you later."
"Bye." Hermione said before going in the opposite direction for her Charms lesson.
Hermione awoke to a cloudy Saturday morning. She went down to breakfast, pretending to have a cough and stuffy nose, and sat to eat with Harry, Ron, and Ginny. They were all upset about the weather though they were all still going into Hogsmeade anyway.
"I don't think I'm going…" Hermione said, sounding slow and sick.
"Yeah, you look like you could use some rest. Maybe you should see Madame Pomfrey." Ron suggested, worried about his friend.
"It's just a cold. It'll be gone in a few days."
"Let's just hope so."
The three that were spending the day in Hogsmeade finished their breakfast and were preparing to depart when Hermione faked a cough just so it was convincing.
"Hermione, do you want me to walk you to your dormitory?"
"No I'll be alright Ron."
"I don't want anything to happen to you though. You could faint or something!" He exclaimed, trying to find an excuse to be alone with her.
"Umm okay." Hermione gave in. "Have fun guys!" She said in a fake, weak voice and began walking back to her dormitory with Ron. She knew Draco would have a good laugh when he saw Ron and he pathetic attempt to be with Hermione.
She and Ron reached the portrait hole and when it opened, Ron had to step inside to get a better look at how lucky she was. Draco was sitting on the couch and Hermione swore she saw him biting his lip in order to hold his laughter back. She shot him a dirty look while Ron wasn't paying attention and Draco left to wait in his room.
"You should meet up with Ginny and Harry before they get mad." Hermione said, leading Ron to the exit.
"I guess I should."
"Thanks for walking me here." She added politely.
"No problem." Ron replied, looking nervously around. "I was err wondering if—"
Hermione knew what was coming next and she was very thankful for being "sick" because she faked coughing. Ron didn't finish his sentence but used his wand to conjure a glass of water, which he handed to her.
"Thanks." Hermione said after she took a drink to stop her from coughing though it really didn't. "What were you asking?"
"Oh, umm never mind. It was a stupid question." He said, seeming disappointed as he turned to leave.
"Well good-bye then." Hermione said before closing the door behind him.
"That was bloody-hilarious." Draco laughed from his doorway.
"Shut-up, it wasn't funny and I feel really bad about what I did."
"But he should have known you wouldn't want to go to the ball with him! He just can't get it through his huge head. That red hair is like a deflector or something."
"How many times do I need to tell you? Stop being such a jerk about Ron, and Harry too!"
"It's not my fault. They set themselves up for these things and it's just natural to crack a joke at them."
"I don't care whose fault it is. Just stop it please." Hermione asked frustrated, and felt Draco arms wrap around her from behind.
"Sorry." He said innocently and kissed the top of her head. Who could refuse to forgive someone like that? Hermione couldn't.
"It's okay." Hermione spun around to face him. "Let's go for that walk on the grounds."