It was a most wondrous feeling to wake up happy and smiling. Hermione couldn't recall the last time she had felt it.

The first rays of sun were shining through the eastern window as she joined Draco in the common room. The encounter with Jimmy seemed like it had happened ages ago. She wondered how he would seem this morning. She was glad they weren't going to breakfast right away.

"Did you sleep well?" she nonchalantly asked Draco, who was practicing Flitwick's charm and had just finally performed it perfectly.

"I think that question would be better directed at you, considering the events of last evening." he scowled. His tone turned more gloating though. "Try and beat that last one I just did! It was beautiful, wasn't it?"

Grinning, Hermione drew her wand from her pocket, and executed the charm flawlessly.

"Challenge accepted. Challenge a success. Better luck next time, Drakie!" she teased, throwing him one of his own famous smirks.

Rolling his eyes, he said, "You just wait. One day I'll catch up. And then we'll see who can have a smug expression."

Hermione smiled wider and picked up the waltz class notice and sign-up sheet from the coffee table. "Well, that one day could take several more years, or decades, for that matter, so I think I'm going to be fine for a while."

Without another word, Draco stalked out of the common room, to Hermione's amusement. "He's not a morning person today, I guess." she said to Crookshanks, who was sitting on the floor, tail swishing, lamp-like eyes still fixed in the direction where Draco had departed. "Let's play 'Chase the Ferret!' You'd like that, wouldn't you, Crookshanks?" He gave her a strange look before standing up.

So Hermione and Crookshanks caught up to Draco at the bottom of the staircase. As they stepped into the foyer, Crookshanks rubbed Hermione's leg and then Draco's before dashing off to the grounds again.

"Where do you want to go first?" asked Draco grumpily, though it was obvious he was just playing along from his act in the common room.

Hermione thought for a little bit. "Slytherin, I guess. It's by the dungeons, right? We'll plan our route from closest House to farthest."

"Good idea." he said. "So what's next?"

"Hufflepuff. It's by the kitchens. Then Ravenclaw. I think it's on the fifth floor. So Gryffindor will be last."

"How do you know where all the Houses are located?" Draco asked incredulously.

"Let's just say I've read Hogwarts, a History." said Hermione slyly. "C'mon. Let's go. We should get this over with before other the students get up and watch us over our shoulders. That could get kind of awkward."

The entire task took them only twenty minutes total in the end. They worked as a team, with Draco whispering "Geminio" to make copies, and Hermione neatly using sticking charms to post the notices and sign-up sheets to each common room's bulletin board.

Afterwards, they ate an early breakfast, just the two of them, (thank goodness because it meant no Jimmy), in the Great Hall, and headed back upstairs.

"Y'know, I've been thinking." Draco started.

"That's a first." teased Hermione.

He ignored this. Banter was becoming more and more normal for them. Hopefully this intimacy can come to include Ginny and Zacharias. Hermione thought.

"We should give our tower a name." Draco continued. "But what?"

"Maybe Head Tower." Hermione suggested. "Since it's going to be the tower for the Head Boy and Head Girl after this year."

"Nah. Too plain. It needs to be special, something to match its uniqueness."

"We could name it after Lady Montecino." Hermione tried again. "Kind of like it's her tower, since she lets people in and out."

They had reached the doorway to their staircase. "I like it." said Draco. "Montecino Tower. Very pretty. And unlike any other tower name."

"It sounds like you're speaking a foreign language, being so nice." Hermione teased as they climbed the staircase. "House Unity."

"Correct." Lady Montecino replied, and swung open. "Good morning."

"Good morning." they replied simultaneously.

"Say, we haven't checked out the balcony after all this time." noted Hermione, as Draco flung himself onto the couch.

He groaned. "Are you telling me to get up and go inspect it with you?"

"Of course not." said Hermione sweetly. "I was going to go see it by myself, actually, knowing I'll have the wonderful feeling of seeing it before you. Have fun on the couch, all by yourself. Don't die of curiosity!"

She drew open the curtains covering the French doors, and opened both at the same time. Behind her, she could hear Draco muttering something about "Stupid reverse psychology" and "damn women." She smiled. He was adorable when he got outsmarted.

Hermione could smell the fresh air outside. She stepped out of her shoes and socks and onto the balcony, shivering a little to feel the cool, smooth wood beneath her bare feet. Draco likewise came onto the balcony barefoot, although he didn't shiver. The sun wasn't visible from here because of the awning, and the sky was a pale blue tinged with pink.

All the furniture was made of wood and painted white, just like inside. There were four reclining chairs clustered around a white wicker table that had a white umbrella attached at the middle, although it was closed at the moment. That was only the center of the entire balcony though. Hermione thought it was a little too spacious to be called a balcony.

As though he could read her mind, Draco commented, "This isn't really a balcony. It's more like a small deck. But, not complaining!" He settled into one of the reclining chairs. "This field below us is right outside the Great Hall, did you know? We'll be able to watch whoever comes in and out of the castle entrance!"

Just then, Lady Montecino's voice rang through the open French doors. "The Head Boy and Head Girl seek an audience!"

"I'll get it." said Hermione, flitting back through the doors and common room. "Coming!" she called.

She freed the doorway and let in Ginny and Zacharias, who had brought their breakfast up here. "We saw the sign-up sheets." said Ginny excitedly, as Hermione led them onto the balcony. "Everyone's so excited!"

"Really?" murmured Hermione as she took their breakfast and put it onto the wicker table so they could also take off their shoes and socks. "I didn't think it would be that popular!"

"People were at each other's throats trying to fight for a spot on the sign-up sheet in Hufflepuff." reported Zacharias. "It was only fourth years and above, though. The younger students seem to value life a little bit more."

"Gryffindor's sign-up sheet is already filled up." said Ginny, nibbling on a muffin. "We can go check on the status of all the sheets in each House during our break time today. I think it's after lunch today. By the way, who's going to teach the class? I know you, Draco, and I can waltz since we all went to the Yule Ball, but what about Zacharias?"

"Well we don't real need four teach-" Draco began, before being interrupted by an indignant Zacharias.

"Of course I know how to waltz!" he spluttered angrily. "The noble family of Smith has practiced the art of dance for centuries! We're descended from Helga Hufflupuff herself!"

"Calm yourself." said Draco sharply. "There's no need to get your wand in a knot. So you can waltz, very good. Anything else we should know before we offend you again?"

"I prefer the sophistication of the quadrille." Zacharias continued haughtily. "For that is the most elegant dance, and reserved for the more, er- upper-class wizards and witches."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "So Hermione and Draco. Do you guys want to take this on by yourselves, or do you want our help as well? Either way is fine with us." Zacharias made a disparaging noise that clearly indicated he didn't agree.

Before Draco could answer her question, or attack Zacharias, Hermione replied, "Drake and I would love any extra help! Your expertise will be quite invaluable. After all, you survived a whole night of Neville's dancing, didn't you?"

Ginny laughed. "Yes. He really is a most dreadful dancer, but at the time, I was so ecstatic about even being able to attend the ball that I didn't mind. The jealousy of my friends got me through the night. What about you? Did Viktor dance well?"

Realizing that Draco was listening closely for her response, Hermione replied quickly, "Fair enough." and changed the subject. "So, the class is set for Friday night from eight to nine in the Great Hall. That seems awfully soon. It's already Wednesday!"

"Why don't we practice tonight and tomorrow night?" asked Ginny. "Once we get into the hang of it, we'll be fine. We can't practice much after this week, since Draco, Smith, and I will have to coordinate Quidditch team tryouts next week and then start practice after that."

"That's a good idea." said Draco. "We could all do homework together up here in the common room so we can work faster, and then use the extra time to practice."

"You mean I have to dance with her?" asked Zacharias, horrified.

Ginny rolled her eyes again. "Look, you moron. I won't exactly enjoy it, either, but as Head Boy and Head Girl, we've just got to grit our teeth and just do it, all right? We have responsibilities."

"This isn't really our responsibility." Zacharias whined. "McGonagall said it was for them." He motioned his head towards Draco and Hermione. "Do we have to dance? We could just go around and correct people while they do the actual modeling."

It was Draco's turn to respond. "Of course you don't have to dance with Ginny." he said poisonously. "I'm sure all your high-class upbringing would totally condone your refusing a lady's request to dance."

Before Zacharias could respond, Hermione said, "Why, look at the time! We've got to get to class soon! C'mon, Ginny. Let's let the boys figure this out and you can help me get my stuff."

Ginny, though obviously wishing to see if Draco and Zacharias would fight, with the desired result of Zacharias getting sent to the infirmary for the rest of the day, humored her best friend. They pulled on their shoes and socks, and went to Hermione's room. Hermione shut both doors, and turned to Ginny. "We have to talk."

"Alright, shoot." said Ginny, sitting onto Hermione's neatly-made bed. "What's wrong? Did you accidentally walk into Drakie in the bathroom while he was naked? she snorted.

Hermione's face bruned. "Har har." she said. "Wait a moment; you just called him 'Drakie.' I didn't even think you could move past 'Malfoy' or 'Ferret' until recently."

Ginny shrugged. "You were right. He's more than decent right now. I think the three of us can become true friends this year. He's an angel compared to Smith, in any case, who can't even make intelligent conversation with me. Anyways, I'll call Draco whatever you call him now, since he can call me what you call me."

"Wonderful." said Hermione, genuinely happy that progress was being made.

"So what did you want to talk about?" asked Ginny. More cautiously, she added, "Is it about Ron?"

"No, no." said Hermione. "But I do want to talk to you about that sometime later. There's something more important and alarming I need to confide to you about first."

Ginny became suspicious. "More important than Ron? Is it about Draco then?"

Hermione blushed in spite of herself. "We can talk about that some other time, too."

Now Ginny was very curious. "What? Wait a minute, what's going on?"

Trying to cover up her tracks, Hermione said quickly, "It's about what you said the other night. About Jimmy Peakes."

"Jimmy?" asked Ginny, her brow furrowing. "So what about him?" Then, her eyes widening, she asked, shocked, "Did he actually ask you out?" in a hushed voice.

"Well…" Hermione began. Then she launched into a full account of what had happened, excluding who she was sending the letters to. However, she included Draco's heroic rescue, and how she had erased Jimmy's memory afterwards.

"I think you need to be more careful, anyways." Hermione finished softly. "Jimmy seems to harbor major resentment towards you for the Captaincy, so watch out."

Ginny didn't say anything. "That bloody bastard." she said quietly. "I never thought I'd ever say this, but Draco's right. Jimmy needs to be reported."

"But Ginny, you know why he did it. We should give him another chance and see if he improves. Maybe once you form the team and show that you're a wonderful and fair Captain, he'll get over it. Also, I erased his memory, so he even maybe forgot that he wants to hurt us." Hermione said hopefully.

Ginny looked uncertain. "He should at least be punished…"

"I think waking up on the floor with your face full of owl droppings and not knowing what you were doing for the past hour or so is terrifying enough." said Hermione dryly, and Ginny finally laughed. "He's probably shocked enough from that experience to lay low for a while. I know I would if it were me."

"Alright. I'll trust you then." said Ginny promptly. "But next time it happens, you promise you'll turn him in?"

"Of course." replied Hermione sincerely. "Now we really should be heading off to class, or we might have a chance of being late if those two seriously harmed each other."

Ginny sniggered, and both girls gathered up their book bags and wands. When they stepped out into the common room, they saw Draco and Zacharias standing at the portrait hole, waiting quietly, and remarkably, in one piece.

Upon seeing the girls, Draco nodded deeply at Zacharias, who sighed, and then said in a somewhat strangled voice, "Ms. Weasley, could I have the honor of your hand for a waltz or two this evening?"

Hermione stopped dead in her tracks, her eyeballs almost popping out, but Ginny kept walking towards them. Hermione wondered vaguely if she was going to hit or even hex Zacharias.

Instead, Ginny stopped right in front of Zacharias, and said, "Sure thing, princess. Now let's get to class." She stepped through the entrance, and started heading downstairs without a backward glance.

Zacharias, confused as to whether he had done well or not, looked at Draco for an answer. Grinning, Draco gave him the thumbs up, and said, "Not bad. I think you guys can try for being friends now. Go catch up with her."

Zacharias followed Draco's instructions, and hopped out the portrait hole. Draco, still grinning, turned to Hermione. "You look like you're in shock."

"I think I am." she replied faintly. She managed to unglue herself though. "But I'll live."

She stepped up next to him, and said, "I think it's about time all of us became friends."