A/N: Sorry for the long wait. I had exams, but now I'm done school!! I'll try to update more often, but I can't promise anything because I'm also working on another story.

Dislcaimer: If I owned Harry Potter, I would be J.K. Rowling...and my writing would be much better!

Chapter 25 – A Night Out

Hermione spent the next few days enjoying her time with the Weasleys. On the afternoon of December 29 Hermione and Ginny were sitting her the room talking when Mrs. Weasley came bustling in with clean laundry.

"Hermione dear, you've got a letter," said Mrs. Weasley passing her the scroll of parchment.

"Thanks," replied Hermione quickly before Mrs. Weasley left for the boy's room.

Hermione opened the letter and began to read.

Hermione,

You sound like you are enjoying yourself at Hogwarts, which I am very happy to hear. I have spent the last few months in quidditch training, but I have time off for the holidays. I was hoping we could get together for New Years. Please reply with your answer and where I can pick you up.

Yours truly,

Viktor

Hermione grabbed some parchment and wrote a quick reply.

Dear Viktor,

I hope quidditch training has been going well. Don't overwork yourself though, I know how often you practice. It's good that you have gotten some time off, and I'd love to spend New Years with you. I want to spend New Years Day with my Parent's, but I'm free New Years Eve. I'll be at my parents house, pick me up around 8.

See you then, Hermione

"So you're spending New Years with Viktor? So does that mean you're together again?"

"Really Ginny, just because we spend time together doesn't mean we're dating. Look at Harry and I, we spend a lot of time together and we're not dating."

"That's different, we both know Harry has a thing for Luna. I don't think Viktor sees you as just a friend."

"Are you joking? That's why we spend so much time together, he has loads of girlfriends and I don't see him that way."

"That's true, so are you leaving tomorrow morning then?"

"Yeah, that way I can settle in back home for a bit," replied Hermione as she repacked her trunk, only leaving out what she needed for the next day. She then went downstairs to tell Mrs. Weasley.

"Bye, I'll see you next week," said Hermione as she hugged Harry, Ron and Ginny before flooing home. They all waved as they watched her spin through the fireplace.

"Hermione, oh good you're here," said her mother as she gave her a hug.

"Happy Christmas," said Hermione as she handed her mother her present, "where's dad?"

"Oh he got an emergency call at the clinic, but he'll be home for dinner so you can see him then."

"I'm just going to bring my trunk upstairs and do some stuff."

"Alright honey, just be down for dinner."

Hermione headed upstairs to her bedroom and began to feel truly relaxed for the first time since the summer. She unpacked her trunk, so her clothes could be washed before she had to leave again.

The next afternoon

"Mum, I'm going to go get ready, Viktor is picking me up at eight," called Hermione as she rushed into the bathroom. She filled the tub with a vanilla scented bubble bath. Then she shampooed her hair and dried off.

She dried her hair magically, and then began to look at outfits. Viktor was taking her to a Wizarding club. She pulled her little black dress out of her closet. It was beaded across the chest and the rest of the dress was plain. That's wouldn't do, she wanted to wear something more fun and colourful.

She also had a red halter-top she could wear with her black pants, but she really wanted to wear a dress. She searched through her closet and couldn't find anything.

"Mom, do you have any dresses I could borrow?" Hermione asked eagerly; her parents were always going to fancy parties, surely she would have something.

"You can check in my closet, you can also look at the dress Aunt Sammy got you for Christmas, it's beside your desk."

Hermione found the box and looked inside to find a dark purple dress in it. She tried it on and it fit perfectly. It fell just above her knees and flared out very slightly from her waist where there was a beaded belt. Hermione then applied some makeup; nothing much just smoky eye shadow, mascara and lip gloss.

Just as she was sliding into her shoes there was a knock at the door. When she got downstairs she saw Viktor chatting with her parents. He got up when he saw her and the said good bye to her parents. Once they got outside Viktor apparated them to the club.

Draco was just buttoning up his shirt when he heard a knock at his bedroom door. "Come in," he called. The door opened and Snape walked in.

"You're still getting ready, I've been waiting downstairs for five minutes."

"Someone's impatient," Draco retorted.

"Well, come on the Dolohov family will be here any moment."

"They're coming here, I thought we were meeting them at the club." Then they heard the doorbell ring.

"That's them come on downstairs, and remember to behave yourself."

"I know Uncle Sev," said Draco as Severus rolled his eyes at the nickname.

"Severus, how are you?" Asked the man from the entrance.

"I'm well, and you Antonin?"

"I'm good too."

"Well I think we should be off, Draco can you apparate with Madeline she doesn't know how yet," said Lucius.

"Draco doesn't have his licence yet," said Narcissa in a steely voice.

"That's alright, he knows how," added Lucius.

"Of course," Draco replied unhappily as he grabbed her. He heard several pops around him, and then he pulled her to his side. Her cold hands grasped his arm tightly, and he remembered the tenderness of Hermione's hands. He sighed then apparated them to the club.

As soon as they were at the club he tried to let go of her, but she kept a firm grip on his arm and steered him into the club behind their parents and Severus. They sat down at a circular table and ordered drinks. As they waited the adults began to talk, but the two teenagers remained silent. Severus noticed this, as well as the fact that Antonin Dolohov was watching this intently.

"Narcissa, would you like to dance?" Snape asked politely offering her his hand, then nodding at Draco. Draco took the hint and repeated the request to Madeline. She accepted and the four of them walked onto the dance floor.

Draco placed his hands on her waist somewhat awkwardly as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "So did your parents force you to come too?" Madeline asked.

"What? Um, no," he lied.

"I thought so, my dad did. I told him I didn't want to marry you, no offence, but he doesn't listen."

"Same here, my mum and Severus are on our side though."

"Lucky you, my mother keeps telling me how extravagant our wedding will be. I hate this."

"Know the feeling," Draco replied feeling happy for the first time all night. He felt better knowing he wasn't the only one stuck in this mess.

"I'm going to try and talk my dad out of it, but he's stubborn," she said as a fast song came on. The two continued to dance and Draco realized Madeline was nothing like he assumed she would be.