AN: Second-shortest chapter here, I think. Dramione starts, like actually starts! (Yay!) These chapters are definitely going to get shorter. Things are getting worse in reality for me while in this story Hermione is getting better so this doesn't really suffice as 'coping', as one of my friends called it. But I will get through this for you. I can't even tell if this is a slowburn anymore. These chapters are also probably going to be worse quality because I'm just not feeling this. Depression and anxiety is being hard right now, I watched five minutes of one of my sister's TV shows and I nearly had a mental breakdown and I'm telling myself I'm going to do one thing and end of doing another... am I fine? You can believe whatever you want as you read my shitty story.

U_U

~~AlicornEagle11

Disclaimer: This is Chapter 7 now. If you haven't grasped that I'm not J.K. Rowling by now, I don't know what to tell you.

"Got a date yet, Hermione?"

"What?" she turned to the blonde-haired boy that lay beside her, having joined a little earlier to stare at the stars. "Oh, no, I don't. Pansy and Daphne intend to drag me in that dress but I don't plan on giving in much more."

"Theo and Blaise are like the male versions of Pansy and Daphne and the plan on doing the same."

"I'll probably just hang out in the corner alone getting piss drunk."

"Would I be allowed to join you?"

She chuckled slightly. "If you did, would the girls leave me alone?"

"I doubt it. They only leave people alone when they're on a date, and then there's still the wiggly eyebrows."

He demonstrated and she smiled slightly.

"Well, I suppose I'll simply have to suffer then."

"So sad."

She punched him playfully. "Piss off. You'll be suffering, too."

"Oh, the woes! I must suffer as well! I'll drag you down with me."

"I'll already be there. Not much effort on your part. Are you always like that?"

He grinned. "Do you want to find out?"

She made a face at him.

"No, not particularly."

They laid there for a little longer before Draco got up to leave.

"You know, Hermione, if you tell them that you have a date, regardless of whether you do, you'll keep them on their toes. It would be interesting to see what they make of it."

She arched an eyebrow at him and he winked before disappearing through the door.

— || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —

She had taken Draco's advice. It backfired.

The three girls were all getting ready together, Pansy doing nails, Daphne doing hair, and Hermione doing makeup. Hermione had already gotten into her dress and Pansy and Daphne were both working on her simultaneously. Her nails were being done in a green and silver geometric design, and her hair up into a waterfall braid with waves and rhinestones.

"So, Hermione… who is this date of yours that you refuse to mention?" Daphne asked innocently, snickering with Pansy.

Hermione scowled at them. "Oh, fuck off. If I haven't told you yet, do you think I will?"

Daphne held up her hands in mock surrender. "It was just a question."

"One that you clearly had a purpose in asking."

"Well, then maybe I did have a purpose in asking it. Any problems with that?"

"Yes. Many," she replied, narrowing her eyes.

"Your nails are done, Hermione," interjected Pansy with a smile. She waved her wand to instantly dry the polish and Hermione inspected them.

"Lovely. Now, Daphne, get off my back and finish my hair because I'm sure you don't want me to arrive at that ball with half a braid."

"Heavens forbid!" Pansy exclaimed, giggling. This time it was Daphne scowling. "Oh, wipe that awful look off your face. I'm only teasing."

"Hmph. Sure."

Daphne dragged out the last word as she tied off the braids and pulled out the rhinestones and began sticking them in Hermione's caramel curls.

The other two girls had already finished getting ready. Once Daphne finished doing her hair, she'd add her makeup. She planned to have thick black mascara, light blush, deep burgundy matte lipstick, and a touch of silver glitter eyeshadow, along with the basics: primer, foundation, contour, and highlighter.

It only took about two minutes for Daphne to finish, and then another half an hour for the makeup.

She glanced in the mirror once more and gave herself a small smile. She truly looked beautiful, more than just a badass in black.

Hermione put on the jewelry Madam Alessandra had given her and turned to the other two girls who were putting on their own jewelry.

"How much longer until we meet the boys?" she asked them.

"Ten minutes. We're right on time."

The three girls passed the time by chatting to each other. At five until seven, they made their way out of the dorms to the common room, where Theo, Blaise, and Draco were waiting. Theo immediately made to kiss Daphne, but she stopped him.

"You'll mess up my lipstick."

He pouted, but settled for her cheek instead and grabbed her hand.

"You look beautiful," Draco whispered in her ear with a smile.

"Thank you. And you look positively dashing as well."

They all made their way to the Great Hall together. It looked very different from fourth year, when they'd tried to impress. There was a lot less white and blue, which Hermione was thankful for. It looked more like the Great Hall. The teacher's table was exactly as usual, except covered in a white tablecloth with several candelabras upon it. Against one wall were two similar tables, but the first one held bowls of punch and drinks. There wasn't any alcohol, but she was positive that someone would be able to spike some of the drinks. At least hers. The second table held appetizers and finger foods. Around the rest of the hall were circular tables with white tablecloths that seated six, and the middle was empty for couples to dance. People were already there as a slower waltz played. Amongst them were Harry and Ginny and Ron and a brunette girl she didn't recognize were some of them.

Daphne dragged Theo over to the dance floor and the rest of them snickered at his expense. Hermione headed over to the table of drinks and grabbed a glass of punch. She sipped it. It was fruity and sweet, but she wished there was a kick to it.

"You look like that cup betrayed you."

She turned to Draco. "It did. I need alcohol. Desperately."

"I might have a fix for you."

He pulled a vial of moonshine from his jacket pocket.

"Oh, please, yes."

He unstopped the cork and poured some moonshine in. Hermione sipped it again and moaned as the taste washed down her throat.

"Much better."

"You know, I told Blaise and Theo that I had a date. From the way Pansy's frowning at you, I'm assuming you fed her the same excuse?"

She glanced over at the girl in question, and ended up on the receiving end of wiggling eyebrows.

"Fuck. I think she thinks that you're my date. That was not intended. Well… at least I have alcohol. My savior."

"You're welcome."

She glanced at him with a raised eyebrow. "I was talking to the moonshine. It has saved me from the horrors of a ball."

"Ah, of course. How could I make such a mistake?"

"I wouldn't know."

She was halfway through her glass now, and the moonshine was beginning to have a slight effect on her.

"I think Blaise has reached the same conclusion as Pansy."

She didn't even bother looking up.

"Hmm. Maybe this is the moonshine talking, but what if we indulged them?"

"Are you trying to ask me on a date?"

"Fake date. Appearances only."

Hermione went to sit down, and Draco followed.

"Appearances only?"

She nodded in confirmation.

"What if it wasn't just for appearances?"

Her lips slowly spread into a grin.

"Are you asking me on a date?"

"If I was?"

"If you were asking me on a date, I'd have to say… sure."

"Perfect. Don't go gossiping about it to Pansy and Daphne, though."

"Do you really take me for the gossiping type?"

"Honestly, I never really knew what to make of you, before."

"Good."