Draco woke up to an empty bed. Was it just a dream? Well, dream or not, one thing was for sure. He, Draco Malfoy, was in love with Hermione Granger. And that was dangerous to both of them.

He threw the blanket back and got out of bed. Putting on a pair of black pants and a green t-shirt, he opened the door. There was a note attached to the bathrooms door:

Draco,

Had to meet Harry and Ron for breakfast.

Helping them study. Then having lunch

with Ginny. I hope we are still having dinner

tonight. I'll be back around five. See you then.

Hermione

Okay, so last night had not been a dream. Of course, he'd known that once he saw the blood in his bed. She wouldn't tell them about last night, would she? No, they would never forgive her for it.

Now all he needed to do was figure out what he was going to do about his new found feelings. His father would never approve of her. Especially with Lord Voldemort's quickly approaching attack. He's bring it up at dinner tonight.

Hermione sat across from Ron and Harry. "Ron! How could you say that?" Her voice was slightly raised.

Ron looked at her. "All I'm saying is that I bet that ferret, Malfoy, put Zabini up to it."

She wanted to slap him. "For you information, Ronald, I nearly had to hex Draco to keep him from killing Zabini when he found out!"

This time it was Harry who spoke up. "Hermione, why would Malfoy want to try to kill Zabini?" he asked her, his voicing seeping with doubt.

She sighed and said the first thing that came to mind. "Because he doesn't want his precious Slytherins going out with a Gryffindor. Least of all the mudblood best friend of one of his biggest enemies."

Ron and Harry exchanged glances. It was Harry who spoke once again. "That's just like Malfoy. Typical."

Yeah, he thinks his house is too good for the rest of us." Ran added.

Hermione watched them talk, seeming content with her reason. They finished breakfast and walked up to the Gryffindor common room.

Ginny came in at noon. She kissed Harry before turning to Hermione. "Hey, are you ready?"

"More than ready." She grinned. "Any more of this and I'll die." She threw her books in her bag and stood. "Come on, let's get out of here."

Hermione and Ginny made their way to Hogsmeade, talking about their classes.

"So," Ginny said, "How about we go shopping before we eat? We can make it a late lunch."

Hermione beamed. "Absolutely. There's this cute little shop called 'Styled'. I saw it yesterday and I'm dying to see what it has."

"Why were you here yesterday?"

Hermione stopped. "Didn't Ron tell you yet? I…I had a date. With Blaise Zabini. Harry knew, so I assumed you did too."

Ginny blinked. "You had a date with Blaise Zabini?" Hermione nodded. "No wonder Ron and Harry have been glaring at him. Well, what happened?"

As they walked to the store, Hermione told Ginny about her date. "So then, I ran back to my room. Well, Draco was there and he saw me shaking. He demanded to know what happened and I told him. Then he tried to go and kill the little rat, Zabini. I was barely able to stop him."

Ginny could only stare for some time. Then she found her voice, "Why would Malfoy…."

Before she could finish her sentence, Hermione gave her the same reason she had given to Harry and Ron. Ginny, like the boys, seemed to believe it. The two friends walked into the store, laughing.

The store was brilliant! There were clothes for every occasion inside. They wandered into the dresses. There were so many. They spent two hours trying on dresses.

When Hermione came out in a baby blue ball gown, Ginny gasped. "Oh Hermione! You have to get that dress! It's so beautiful."

"You really think so?"

"Yes! You have to get it. It's like it was made for you."

Hermione checked the price of the dress. "Well, I did save up some of my money from my summer job. It will take a big chunk of it, but it is a beautiful dress. Why not? Okay, I'll get it. But only if we can find one for you too."

They did. Ginny bought a red ball gown. Hers had glitter and went spectacularly with her fiery red hair.

Draco returned from Snape's office at five-thirty. He could hear the shower so Hermione must have gotten back already. Good, if she was in the shower, then there was no chance that she would see him covered in soot and floo powder.

He went to his bedroom, closing it, and began to strip off his soot-covered clothes. There was so much going on. Lord Voldemort finally had enough followers. The meeting was to tell his death eaters that the attack was to happen soon. They had but to choose a date.

He wouldn't think about that now though. Right now, the only thing he wanted to think about was his date with Hermione. He was going to take her to a magnificent restaurant in Paris.

Draco heard the shower stop. A few minutes passed before he heard the sound of the bathroom door opening. Her bare feet padded across the common room. Her door opened then closed. Silence followed.

He made his way to the bathroom. His shower was quick, half an hour later, Draco stepped out of his room in a suit, his step faltered then he froze when Hermione opened her door.

She was stunning. She wore the black dress that he had bought her. The shimmering black silk clung to her. He could see the swell of her breasts under the dress. Her hair was up, done in a fancy bun, with a few tendrils hanging down. She spun around and he noticed the open back of the dress, the slit that came up to her knee. She more no jewelry, only simple black and glitter make up. Her lips were a light red, though. He was speechless.

"So," Hermione asked, "do I look okay?" She stared at him, her eyes large and hopeful.

He gulped. Draco opened his mouth to speak, failed, and closed it again. He nodded.

Hermione smiled. "Well, I have to get my cloak then I'll be ready." She hesitated. "Err… Draco? How are we going to get out of here without everyone seeing up?"

He found his voice at last. "Put on your cloak." He pulled out his wand and cast an illusion charm on her hair. "There. Now it'll look like you're just going for a walk. Go to Hogsmeade and meet me behind the Three Broomsticks. But wait for about ten minutes after I leave before you go."

She nodded. Draco put on his own cloak and left.

She met him behind the Three Broomsticks twenty minutes later. "Draco, where are we going?"

"We're going to apparate. It's a surprise, so hold on." He help out his arm and she took it. He twisted his wand as he focused on the restaurant and darkness sucked them in.