Description: (8th year at Hogwarts) Hermione and Draco have been dating in secret for quite awhile now. McGonagall wanted to give the upper years something special after all, they did just endure a war. When the young couple hears about a second Yule Ball coming up, they decide that it's time to let Hogwarts know about their romance.

Our Night

Hermione Granger was studying in the Hogwarts library one peaceful Saturday afternoon when she was interrupted by a blond haired boy. This, however, didn't annoy her quiet as much considering she's grown to fancy this boy.

He wouldn't be considered her boyfriend otherwise.

"Draco, what are you doing? Someone might see us!" She lightly reprimanded in a whispered.

You heard that right, Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger are boyfriend and girlfriend. Although no one else knows about this, they've slowly been building a relationship for a few months and they're now dating.

"What? I'm just checking on my lovely girlfriend, what's wrong with that?" Draco responded feigning hurt.

"You know what I mean you git!" Hermione said with a smile forming against her will. "What is it?" She asked.

"Wanting to sit next to you isn't reason enough?" He jested and she rolled her eyes. "Alright, it's about the Yule Ball," he started.

"Draco, we've talked about this," Hermione said with a heavy heart.

"No no I know we have but hear me out," he proposed.

"Fine, I'll hear you out tonight," she told him and he sighed.

As often as they can, the young couple will go to the Room of Requirement so they can talk and be themselves without being in the public eye. It's where they don't have no worry about others overhearing them and telling everyone. Not that they'd mind too much about that, it was just the danger part.

Draco knew his parents wouldn't take the news well that he's dating a muggleborn, let alone 1/3 of he Golden Trio. He was afraid they'd try something to hurt him, and more importantly her. But he believes he's found a solution to all of this and he planned on telling Hermione tonight.

"Alright, tonight then," he said with a smile only she was allowed to see before standing up and leaving the library.

A/N: "Later That Same Evening"

Draco was walking to the room Hermione and him have been meeting at since it all began. The Room of Requirement. He was a little nervous about what she would think about his plan and hoped she couldn't find a flaw in it. She wasn't the brightest witch of their age for nothing after all.

Before he knew it he was in front of the room that held so many memories. He began fiddling with the object in his pocket as he paced in front of the painting. He thought of the same cozy room that resembled a common room with aspects of both Slytherin and Gryffindor's.

As the door opened he heard footsteps coming and, luckily before he could react, Hermione's form came into view. He smiled and waited for her to go into the room first before following inside and closing it.

As soon as the door closed behind him, he was blinded by a mess of brown hair. Knowing Hermione was hugging him, he hugged her back tightly.

"I've missed you," Draco told her burying his face in the hair he's grown to love.

"And I've missed you too, Ferret," Hermione teased and she could practically feel him rolling his eyes.

"I'll have you know that was a very unpleasant experience," he said shivering at the memory as they broke their hug.

"Oh yes I know, you've told me many times," she reminded him as she moved to one of the couches in the room.

After their first meeting, they've both modified the room in a way that would suit them both. The walls were a darker grey and the furniture was a bright purple, Draco and Hermione's favorite colors. There was only one comfy leather couch, as they've gotten closer they decided to get ride of the other one, and a reclinable chair.

There was a warm fireplace by the seating area and a small table in between the couch and chair. There was a bathroom and cupboards that would restock with whatever food or drinks they wished. They even had a bedroom with two separate beds incase they stayed out too late and needed someplace to sleep.

"Now, I think it's time you tell me about your little scheme," Hermione said plopping down on the couch.

"Right," Draco remembered sitting next to her before taking out the ring he's been fiddling with from his pocket.

Her breath caught in her throat when she saw the ring, her mind going where most women's do and she hoped she was wrong. Not that she wouldn't want to marry Draco one day but Hermione believed they were too young right now.

"Let me stop your train of thought right there, Hermione," Draco said with a smile. "If I know you, and I'd like to think I do, you're making all sorts of conclusions and possible case scenarios. Yes, this is originally an engagement ring but I'm not proposing, not for awhile at least," he told her easing her worry.

She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding and he smirked.

"Then what is it for?" She asked with her curiosity peaked.

"Well the only reason we haven't come out as a couple yet is because of your safety-" he started to explain.

"Our safety," Hermione corrected him with a pointed look.

"Yes our safety, well this ring has been in my family for generations and it has many protection spells places on it," Draco said.

"But..?" Hermione inquired.

"But it is an engagement ring and it won't allow me to give it to just anyone, so I'm going to use this as an opportunity to give you a promise ring," he explained hoping she wouldn't shoot his idea down.

"What kind of promise?" She asked.

"A promise that I'll always love you and a reminder that even if things don't work out between us, you'll always have a place in my heart," he answers sheepishly.

"Oh Draco," Hermione said feeling her heart swell before hugging him tightly. "That's so sweet but.." she trailed off.

"But?" He said a bit worried as he pulled back enough to look her in the eyes.

"What about you? I know their your family but what about other Death Eaters, they certainly wouldn't stand to have the "great Malfoy name" to be dirtied by a mudblood," she expressed her worries.

"Don't call yourself that," Draco said firmly, he always tenses when he hears that name.

"It's true though, that's how they see me and essentially that's what I am," Hermione pointed out as she pulled out of the hug.

"Still I don't want to hear you say it," he said seriously.

"Ok," she said softly. "Now back to my question, what about you?" She said getting back on topic.

"I.." He said taking necklace off that he was wearing under his shirt to show a ring with a big emerald on a chain, "..have this."

"Does it have the same protection spells?" She asked curiously.

"Yes it does," he answered. "So..does this mean you accept yours?" Draco asked hopefully.

"Of course I do!" She exclaimed and gladly took the ring when he handed it to her.

Hermione took that time to properly inspect the ring he had given her. It too had a emerald in the center but it was smaller and had diamonds surrounding it. She conjured a chain similar to Draco's and put her ring on it to wear.

She looked up to find him smiling lovingly at her, she then took his necklace and at his surprised expression she explained. "And this, is my promise to you. I will always love you and even if we get separated, you will always have a place in my heart," then she handed the ring back to him.

"Well in that case, I accept," he said before putting it back on. He then leaned over and they sealed their promises with a kiss.

"So does this mean we can tell everyone now," Hermione said excitedly. It's been killing her to lie to her friends and keep such a big secret from them.

"Yes but not quiet yet, I was thinking maybe at the Yule Ball?" he suggested.

"Why Malfoy, are you asking me to go to the Yule Ball with you?" Hermione teased.

"It looks like it, Granger," he teased back.

"Well actually I'm already going with someone," she told him and then started laughing after seeing the panicked look on Draco's face. "I'm only joking! Of course I'll go with you," Hermione exclaimed and he visibly relaxed.

"Thank goodness, I was afraid it was going to be McLaggen or worse ," Draco said with a disgusted look.

"Well I think Ron has tried to ask me a few times but didn't get the words out," she mused and then laughed again as she saw his scrunched up face.

"Oh no, that might actually be worse then both of them," He said.

"Oh come on, they're not that bad, Draco. Don't tell me your jealous," she said teasing. When he didn't reply to that she looked over at him to find his face expressionless, she hated it when he did that.

"You are jealous of them, aren't you?" she realized and he looked down sighing.

"Of course I'm jealous of them. They have everything, sure I have my share of riches and fame but that's not what I mean. They have people who love and respect them. They have people they can trust, other than you of course," he said added the last part.

"They were leading the right side of the war when I couldn't even be on it. Worst of all they have you. They got to make sure you were safe during the war, they were with you through it. They get to be around you in public all the time without people even blinking an eye," he said speaking about emotions that he never has before.

"Well guess what, we'll be able to go anywhere we want together after Yule," Hermione reminded him with a soft smile and he returned it.

"The perfect Christmas present," Draco commented.

The Yule Ball was finally here. Students from fourth years and over were all preparing for this special occasion. After all, other than the students redoing their 7th year, it would be their first dance at Hogwarts. Most were nervous, others excited and some feeling a mixture of both emotions.

Hermione Granger, for example, was one of those students feeling both of those emotions. She was in her dorm room's bathroom fussing nervously at her appearance. Tonight was very important, she already knew people were going to judge people and she didn't want to give them anymore ammunition to do so.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Hermione, are you done yet? You've been in there for ages," Ginny Weasley called from the other side of the bathroom door.

"Um, yeah I guess," she said. Her nervousness was clear in her voice and Ginny came in before looking her up and down.

"Alright sit your butt down," the redhead instructed.

"Why?" The brunette asked as she did so.

"So I can get to work of course," Ginny said with a smile that Hermione returned.

The youngest Weasley then got to work on her best friend's appearance. Her goal with the makeup wasn't to change Hermione's look but to enhance her natural beauty. Using lots of nude colors for the eye shadow along with a little bit of green per Hermione's request.

Once she was done with her friend's makeup, she started on her hair. After messing around with it for a little while, Ginny decided to put it up in a simple bun.

"Voila!" Ginny exclaimed smiling at her work.

Hermione then jumped up and looked into the mirror before her face broke into a wide grin. "Oh thank you so much Gin!" She exclaimed before hugging her friend tightly.

"Can't...breath.." Ginny teased making the brunette laugh before going to put on her dress.

Meanwhile, Draco Malfoy was putting on his dress robes. Him, unlike his girlfriend, started out simply excited for what was to happen tonight. But as the time to leave grew closer and closer, the more he began to get nervous as well.

What if something went wrong? What if the rings don't work because they're not engaged?

Questions like these have been swirling around in his head all night. He was so nervous at this point, that he couldn't tie his bowtie correctly. After just about the millionth time he tried and failed he let out a frustrated huff.

Just when he was about to give up and go without the bowtie, Blaise Zabini walked in. He paused for a moment once he saw how stressed Draco looked. The blond gave his friend a helpless look before running a hand through his hair.

"Don't worry mate, everything's going to be fine," Blaise said before walking closer to him. "And hell, even if it doesn't work out at least you have Hermione, right?" He said as he began tying Draco's bowtie after watching him struggle with it.

That's right, Blaise knew about Hermione and Draco's relationship. While he's suspected there were some suppressed feelings between them, he didn't even consider they might be a couple until he caught them. Blaise was doing prefect rounds one night and caught the two kissing in front of the Room of Requirement.

After Blaise had confronted them about it, they all went into the room and explained to him about their relationship. The Italian had accepted the concept well and even told Hermione that it was "about time Draco took his head out of his arse and asked you out."

They all laughed and after awhile of hanging out, Hermione and Blaise have become fairly good friends.

"Yeah I suppose you're right, tonight is about her," Draco said nodding while attempting to slow his heartbeat.

"Of course I'm right, now are you ready?" Blaise asked finishing with the bowtie.

Draco looked in a mirror and ran his fingers through his hair so it didn't look too messy. He had stopped putting gel in it after Hermione's reaction when he forgot to one night. She had said, before they were a couple, that she liked it better without the gel before blushing from realizing what she had said.

He smiled at the memory before answering his best friend,"I'm as ready as I'll ever be, let's go."

And the two left to go to the Great Hall to wait for Hermione. Her and Draco had decided that he was going to go wait by the staircase by the Great Hall instead of waiting for her at Gryffindor Tower. This way when Hermione came down the staircase, they would go in together without being easily cornered.

Also, this is what most of the other couples decided to do and Hermione found it romantic.

So Draco waited, wringing his hands as the nervous nott in his stomach grew bigger. Blaise was waiting beside him with some Slytherin girl he barely knew. The blond kept checking his watch ever so often and Blaise tried to sooth his friend by saying she'll be here soon.

"Where is she?" Draco muttered anxiously.

"Uh mate," Blaise said looking up towards the top of the stairs.

"What?" The blond asked before following his gaze.

Sure enough, it was Hermione. She was walking down the stairs with Ginny Weasley and Luna Lovegood. But Draco didn't pay the other two girls any mind, his whole focus was on his date.

She took his breath away. From her makeup, he loved how instead of pilling a bunch on like other girls, she used it to better her natural look. Her hair was in a simple bun yet she made it look like it took forever to get it right. And finally her dress and shoes, he couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.

She wore a black dress that ombred into a dark green which she matched with silver heels. Hermione Granger was wearing Slytherin colors. Draco couldn't help the smirk that formed on his face, his Gryffindor girlfriend was wearing his Slytherin house colors and she looked sexy as hell in them.

As she ascended the staircase, Hermione began to blush from all the attention. And especially from the look her boyfriend was giving her at seeing her dressed up like this. She took a moment to look at how he was dressed. It wasn't anything complicated, a simple black suit, white undershirt and black bowtie.

But oh did he make it look good.

With his platinum blond hair all messy instead of slicked back, yet not even close to as messy as Harry's was regularly. Not to mention that awestruck look that turned into a smirk making him look 10x sexier.

Even with her two closest female friends next to her, she could get herself to focus on anyone else. So as she walked closer and closer to him, the more it seemed as if they were the only two people in the world. All of her nervousness seemed to dissolve.

"Why hello, beautiful," Draco said once she got into earshot.

Hermione giggled in delight, they've waited so long to be openly a couple. "And hello to you to Draco," she replied taking his outstretched hand.

"What no comment on my look?" He teased.

"Nope we wouldn't want to inflate your already oversized ego, you might not be able to get through the door," she joked and she heard Blaise laugh.

"Oh how you hurt me woman," Draco replied putting a hand on his heart feigning hurt.

"You know I'm only joking, Love. You look very handsome," Hermione told him and he beamed.

It was then that Hermione remembered the two girls she came down with. She looked to find Ginny's eyes and mouth wide open in pure shock. While Luna was smiling softly with a twinkle in her eyes that reminded Hermione of Dumbledore.

When Ginny noticed Hermione looking at her, she seemed to snap out of it and walked up to the brunette.

"You-You...Him..?" She began trying to communicate the confusion she felt. "What is going on? Are you under a love potion?" Ginny asked suddenly concerned.

"She isn't under a love potion, Ginny. Her and Draco are in love," Luna explained to the flaming redhead.

"Wait, you knew?" Hermione asked the blonde girl.

"Of course," she said as if it was obvious. "I always did think you two would make a lovely couple," Luna admitted while Ginny continued to gap at them.

"Hermione is with Malfoy? I mean I've been suspecting you've been sneaking out with some boy but Malfoy?" Ginny said more than asked.

"Sexual tension," Blaise said as if this would explain everything. "Why do you think he would pick on her so much?" He added.

"Wait, why did you?" Ginny asked directing it at Draco this time.

"I just wanted her to notice me, but I know now that was the wrong way of going about it," Draco said explaining himself sheepishly.

"Oh. Wow. I knew you've changed Malfoy but wow," the redhead said before looking at her best friend.

It was then that Ginny saw everything she needed to know in Hermione's eyes. All the love she felt for Draco, the need she felt for Ginny to understand and accept them, and her anxiety that she would lose her. Ginny then smiled and nodded at the brunette.

"Ok, ok. This is going to take some getting used to but if he makes you happy Mione then that's good enough for me but-" She said then pointed a finger threateningly at Draco. "-If you hurt her just know there'll be a pack of Weasley's coming after you," she added.

"Understood, Weaslette. However I would never hurt her, at least of my own violation," Draco said before putting his arm around Hermione's waist.

It was then that Ginny saw something -or someone- past Draco and she perked up before her expression changed to worry. Hermione looked at what caught Ginny's attention only to find Harry Potter.

Harry's face portrayed many emotions; confusion, anger, disgust, and above all hurt. His face grew redder and redder by the second while everyone else held their breath. But instead of an explosion, Harry glared at the couple and stormed off.

"I'll go talk to him," Ginny assured Hermione before going after the boy who lived.

"Come on, Love. He'll come around but for now let's enjoy this. This is our night," Draco told Hermione kindly.

The muggleborn nodded at him before all of them made their way into the Great Hall.