Falling in Love with the Enemy: Chapter 3: The Ball

"What are you going to wear, Lavender?" Parvati asked while she flipped through her Magic Fashion magazine. Lavender thought for a moment.

"Well, since this is the last year, and only fifth through seventh years are allowed, I suppose I'll wear something beautiful, yet sexy. Ron will love it! I can just picture it now. . .You know, I heard we get to go out to the muggle street where you get into Daigon Alley at to get our things. I heard that there's going to be a trip tomorrow for the fifth, sixth, and seventh years to get their stuff!" Lavender finished.

"Cool! I can't wait. . .Ooh, look at this picture! Its a muggle gown! Oh, they're much prettier than our dress robes! I want that gown!" Lavender pounced onto Parvati's bed and gasped at the pretty gown. It was dark red and fit slim. It had spaghetti straps and a transparent black over-gown. It was so beautiful, and the over-gown was lace with flowers embroidered into it.

"You're so right! That is beautiful! Lucky muggles!" Hermione walked in, then. She looked all happy and dreamy. Lavender and Parvati giggled. They found it hilarious that Hermione was always walking around all dreamy-like.

"What magazine is that?" Lavender asked Hermione, who had taken it out of her dresser and sat on her bed and started looking at it. Hermione looked up form the magazine and looked at Parvati and Lavender, smiling.

"Prom."

"What?"

"Its a muggle magazine with muggle gowns for fancy stuff. And I'm looking for the perfect dress. Most of these dresses are here in England somewhere." Parvati hopped onto Hermione's bed and they looked through the magazine again and again. Lavender took out a novel and read it silently.

~~~*~~~

The next day, after classes, everyone was getting physced (s/p?) about the trip to the muggle street. Parvati and Lavender got all dressed up. Parvati had her dark hair in a high ponytail and wore a pair of jeans and a tank top. She did her make-up like normal -- way heavy. Lavender laughed so hard. "No way! That make-up is so meant for a skirt! How about your white tank top and your red plaid skirt? That's always cute! And your brown loafers with white knee-socks. You'll look just like a muggle!"

"Well, you must have experience to look the way you do!" Parvati said as she eyes Lavender's flare jeans and baby-blue T-shirt. She also had on clogs and her make-up was light and her hair was in a headband.

"Well, my older brother is a muggle, so I get fashion tips all the time!"

"Yeah..." Hermione walked in, then. She looked nice enough. Her curly hair was pulled into a half ponytail and she wore a white blouse with a lavender knee-length skirt. She wore clogs and looked like a normal muggle, too. Well, her parents were muggles, so she was used to it.

Hermione grabbed her black cloak, put on some light lip gloss and headed out without a word. She felt so happy. She couldn't wait to find her dress. She had eyed a really pretty one in her Prom magazine. It was red and flared and. . .Oh, she just didn't know.

She made her way down to the front hall and found Harry waiting. He was spying Ginny and she didn't even know it. Hermione smiled. She knew he'd ask her to the Ball, sooner or later. She only imagined Ginny's happiness and that made her smile even more.

"Spying on Ginny from behind, eh?" Hermione said, walking up. Harry blushed and chuckled.

"Yeah. . .Kinda. . ."

"Hey, Hermione." Hermione turned around, expecting to see -- but it wasn't. She felt her face fall. For some reason, his voice had sounded like --

"Hello, Ron."

"I was just going to say. . .Congratulations. . .On the nominations thing. . ." Ron seemed uptight. Hermione smiled, despite herself. She realized her little plan was working.

"Thank you, and congratulations, yourself."

"Thanks." Hermione smiled and turned around. She turned around to see Draco. Her smile faded quickly.

"Oh, uh, hi, Draco," Hermione said with fake cheerfulness. If Draco noticed, he didn't show it. He took Hermione's arm and lead her out the doors, as everyone else started moving. It was six P.M. and being December, the sun was setting earlier, so it was dark out.

They got their train to Daigon Alley, which took about an hour, and started looking around. It was seven and they had until nine. Hermione pulled Draco in the first store she saw: "Casey's Formal Wear for All Occasions". Hermione looked at all sorts of dresses. Blue satin, red velvet, pink, yellow, black, green but she couldn't find anything that was right. My last year! Hermione kept thinking. My last year! Draco found a really nice suit of black and bought it in Casey's. He told Hermione to look around town by herself because he didn't want to see her until the ball night. She smiled and went hunting.

She ran into Parvati and Lavender in a store a few blocks down. Parvati carried a long bag, but Lavender was still looking for something. Parvati squealed and pulled her dress out of the dry cleaner's bag. It was pink and had a v-form fitting neck. Flaps coming form the top overlapped the long, filled out skirt. Hermione imagined Parvati in that and smiled. She would look beautiful. Hermione quickly searched that store in order to get out of Lavender's presence as quickly as possible.

About four store later and only one left, Hermione took a deep breath. She stood in front of A store. The perfect store. Prom. The store for the magazine. Hermione smiled and walked in. She had to hurry or she'd be late. It was 8: 45, now. She searched all sorts of dresses, but found nothing in a quick browse session. She realized she forgot a rack of them and wandered over. The rack was set as far in the back corner as it could get and there were nor lights shining on them. Hermione looked through them and saw it. Her dress. the perfect dress.

She smiled. It was so pretty it made her smile. The dress was so many different colors! The top, which cut diagonally across, starting on the left and went down, was a dark purple around the edges and getting lighter pink as it neared the middle. The skirt, which was full and long, was in folds. It had two long flaps that were as long as the rest of it. Underneath the flaps, a dark, getting lighter blue satin shown. The flaps were dark around the edges, getting lighter pink, like the top. The creases and folds in the flaps were darker again. It was beautiful. She pulled it off the rack and looked at it. She checked her watch. She'd just spent ten minutes staring at it. She now had five minutes to buy it and get to the train station. She didn't even check the price but ran up to the counter. The lady rung the dress up and told Hermione the price.

"Four-hundred fifty galleons and forty-five sickles, please. Hermione gaped for a second before pulling the money out of her purse. She had to use her Christmas money to cover it. She sighed as the time ticked. The lady gave her the tiny amount of change she had and put the dress in a bag. Once it was all wrapped up in its dark bag, Hermione took it and high-tailed it down the streets. She could hear Draco yelling her name from an open compartment door as the train started moving slowly out of the station. At least he took the very back compartment.

Hermione ran as fast as she could in her clogs and grabbed Draco's hands and he pulled her on just as the train left the station.

~~~*~~~

"Damn, where were you?" Draco asked. Hermione's breathing was much too quick to explain everything, but she managed a few words.

"Couldn't find right dress. . .Had to run. . ." Hermione was trying not to laugh at Draco's confused expression for fear that she'd choke. When she calmed a little, she explained it had taken her linger than the thought it would.

When the train pulled up to the station for Hogwarts, Draco and Hermione got off and walked together. Lavender carried a dark bag as she pulled Ron along quickly. He had been watching Hermione again. Draco told her not to tell him anything about the dress because he didn't want to see it until Friday.

~~~*~~~

For Thursday, Hermione did her very best at things and was on her best behavior (if she wasn't already). She actually restrained from smarting off to Proffessor Snape or even glaring at him. Draco smiled at her during Potions, proud. Hermione laughed, feeling dumb.

Hermione hadn't shown anyone her dress. She had to keep it locked in her trunk with the locking spell that only the caster can remove. Everyone had heard about Hermione nearly missing the train and knew her dress must be pretty nice. Hermione had only seen Parvati's. Lavender hadn't bothered to hang it up or anything, so Hermione hadn't seen hers. Ginny had shown Hermione her dress. It was really pretty. It was almost like Parvati's, but different in a way. Her dress was strapless and the top was form-fitting. It also had flaps the came down over the bottom. But, the bottom had another set of flaps that reached the bottom of the gown. The top and the under gown were different shades of blue repeated over and over again and looked like some kind of rainbow. The longer set of flaps were a lighter blue and had pink and lighter blue stars on them. She looked really pretty. Her curly red hair was down her green eyes really stood out. She looked fabulous in it.

~~~*~~~

The night of the ball, the first through fourth years watched anxiously as the fifth through seventh years hurried about in muggle clothing. All the girls were fussing about their hair and looking through magazines for ideas. Hermione stayed on her bed, her curtains drawn. She was done. She looked perfect. Her hair was in two buns of some kind with two pieces hanging down. She hoped her and Draco would be King and Queen. That'd really show Ron. She was happy her plan was working. She knew tonight would make all the difference.

"Hermione, are you coming?" Ginny asked as she stepped inside Hermione's dorm.

"Not yet! I want to be perfect!" Hermione took out a mirror and glanced at herself before finally taking a deep breath and pulling back her curtains. Ginny hadn't seen her dress yet and gasped as she did. Ginny noticed Hermione had put little black and red glitter pieces on her stomach that was showing.

"Oh my God! Hermione, you look! You look! Amazing! My brother is so gonna flip!" Ginny smiled and gaped at Hermione's dress. "Come on, let's make a dramatic entrance to the common room so everyone can gaped and ask 'who's she?'!"

"You're making me think of Cinderella!" Hermione said, laughing.

"Cinderella? Who's Cinderella?"

"Never mind. Come on!" Hermione made Ginny walk down in front of her. Harry had asked her and she couldn't have been more happy. Hermione followed and everyone stared. Ginny smiled as she approached Harry. Harry hadn't glanced at Hermione yet.

"You look really beautiful Ginny."

"Thank you, but Hermione looks better," Ginny said, turning to look at Hermione who was still slowly descending the staircase. Harry gawked and coughed.

"You l-look n-n-nice, H-Hermione!" Ron spluttered. Lavender glared at him. Her dress was stranger than most. Her blonde hair was up in some kind of ensemble on her head and her make up was mostly a light pink. Her dress was, for the most part, a purple and blue. There were three flaps all coming down and over-lapping from the top. The first flap was a light, light purple-lavender color. The second was light green and the last one was blue. Flowers were embroidered into the purple part and the thick sleeves were scooted over towards her fore arms more than usual, but not off her shoulders. The dress squared off above her chest. She look pretty in it, but the dress reminded Hermione of a garden.

Hermione felt stupid walking out of the common room and down to the ball alone, but she didn't care that much. Everyone was talking and Lavender made sure Ron stayed a long distance away.

As Hermione approached the doors, she looked around. Where was Draco. She felt a hand on her shoulder just as she was about to panic and turned around quickly, scared. Draco smiled as she did and laughed when he saw her scared expression.

"Scared you, did I?" Draco looked her over. "You look magnificent! You look perfect!"

"Thank you, come on." The day before, you had to turn in slips saying who you were going to the ball with so Professor Mcgonagall could announce who was escorted to the ball with who. Hermione glanced inside. The ball was decorated with Christmassy things and there was a huge stage where the High Table usually was. Only a microphone was on the stage All the house tables were cleared away and there were chairs set out all around the edges of the Hall.

"Next is. . .Ms. Ginny Weasley escorted by Mr. Harry Potter," Mcgonagall announced. Ginny blushed as Harry held her arm tighter and they walked in. Hermione couldn't help but catch herself thinking Harry didn't look so bad in that outfit. "Next. . .Ms. Lavender Brown escorted by Mr. Ron Weasley!" Ron had a fake smile on his face, Hermione could tell. Only one more set of people to go! she thought. "And. . .Ms. Parvati Patil escorted by Seamus Finnigan!" Hermione took a deep breath and prepared for some looks. Everyone had received clapping, but she didn't know if she'd get any this time. "And, last but not least, Ms. Hermione Granger escorted by Mr. Draco Malfoy!" It seemed like one of those movies where everything goes quiet in a blink and all you can hear is that little cricket outside the window. Everyone shut up. No one clapped. Draco didn't smile as they walked in. Hermione did though. Finally, Parvati, Ginny, and Harry started clapping and everyone else did. Hermione blushed as she and Draco took a seat.

"What a wonderful audience, tonight," Hermione murmured. She got situated and caught some people staring at her. She frowned at them.

"Would you like something to drink?" Draco asked, standing. Hermione thought of her clumsiness lately and shook her head. That'd make everyone laugh; her, drinking some juice or whatever it is and then spilling it all over that dress. She shuddered to think about it. They played a song and some people dance. Eventually, many more people started to dance. So far, not any slow songs. Hermione was keeping track.

"And here is a slow one for you!" The DJ they had hired called over the microphone. He had brought some muggle music since everyone was wearing muggle clothes. He played the muggle song "One More Day" by Diamond Rio. A beautiful country song, Hermione thought. She looked over to where Draco had been but he was gone. She stood up. She loved this song. She started looking for him when he tapped her shoulder. She turned around and smiled.

"Wanna dance?"

"Okay." Draco lead Hermione out onto the dance floor and they started slow dancing in rhythm to the slow song. . .

"A wish was granted just for me. . .It could be anything. . .I didn't wish for money. . Or a magic Malibu. . .I simply wished for one more day with you. . .. . .Just one more day. . .One more try. . .One more sunset, baby, I'd be satisfied. But then again, I know what that would do. It'd leave me wishin' still for one more day. . . It'd leave me wishin' still for one more day. . .with you. . ." Hermione felt like crying. This song was so sad. "One more day. . . One more day. . ." Draco pulled back from Hermione tightening grip and tilted her head up to face him.

"That's a really beautiful song. . .It reminds me of you. . ." Hermione smiled half way.

"You're such a good actor. . ."

"Who says I'm acting?" Hermione's breath caught in her chest and she couldn't help but smile. He's not acting! He really likes you. . .But you're goal is to make Ron-

"Hermione. . .You make me feel like no one else. . .You make me feel like I could do something crazy. . .Like fly or, if he was alive, stand up to my dad, or. . .or kiss you. . ." Hermione didn't know what to say. Why was Draco acting like this. It had to be part of the scheme. He could not possible be really falling in love with her, could he? What the Hell. its worth a try. . .Hermione looked back up at him, put her fingers on his cheek, and slowly placed her lips on his. She didn't mean to fall into the kiss the way she had, but she did. And soon, Draco's hands were on her face, her neck, her waist, her back; Hermione's hands were tangled in his hair and she stood on tip-toe to reach his lips better. They tasted good, and he smelled so good. Hermione broke the kiss and glanced sideways and back again. Everyone was staring. Everyone had stopped dancing. . .The song was over. . . Hermione blushed and walked over to the concession table.

Draco went and sat down as some people went back to dancing. One person still remained five minutes later, staring at Draco. Ron felt hatred inside of him, building up. He couldn't believe he'd let her go and she's sought out Malfoy. Hermione walked past him with two drinks, one in each hand. She handed one to Draco who took it and thanked her. He regretted leaving her now. Lavender was all about the love that they made and looking sexy. Hermione was all about what he wanted. . .A love that would last. . .A love you could see in her eyes.

"Okay, now we're going to announce the kind and Queen and then we're going to have the King and Queen's Royal dance! Okay, the nominees for the Queen are: Jessica Parker-Ravenclaw, Parvati Patil-Gryffindor, Lavender Brown-Gryffindor, Claire Vasquez-Slytherin, and Hermione Granger-Gryffindor." Everyone clapped.

"The nominees for king are: Draco Malfoy-Slytherin, Harry Potter-Gryffindor, Mark Lapowski- Hufflepuff, Ron Weasley-Gryffindor, and Martin Colonius- Hufflepuff! Will all the nominees please come up onto the stage. " Hermione and Draco walked up and Hermione went into the Queen line and Draco into the king.

"Okay, we'll be announcing the Princes and Princesses of this years Christmas ball, first. There are only three princes and princesses and one king and Queen, so one nominee will be left with nothing. Here are this years Princes: Mark Lapowski, Harry Potter, and Draco Malfoy. And, this year's King is. . .Ron Weasley, a seventh year Gryffindor!" Ron smiled and stepped forward. He was given a crown and a red cape to wear over his tuxedo. He was ushered over to the side while the Princes were lined up behind him and Martin Colonius walked off stage.

"Okay, now the Princesses. And they are: Parvati Patil, Lavender Brown, and Jessica Parker. And of course, this years Christmas Queen is...Hermione Granger, a seventh year Gryffindor as well! Now, the King and Queen will share their dance." Hermione's mouth fell open as she was given the crown and the red cape. Me and Ron have to dance?! She had flowers, too, but they told her to go take her dance first.

She stepped up to Ron nervously. She could tell he was nervous, too. She placed her hands around his neck while his went to her waist and they played another muggle song for this. Another country muggle song. "Amazed" by Lone Star. Hermione wanted to cry, again. This was her and Ron's song to her. All that time, she'd been listening to muggle music and she had proclaimed this song hers and his. She almost cried. After they danced for a while, and the song was almost over, Ron leaned in and kissed Hermione. It was a deep kiss and Hermione couldn't help but find herself lost in the taste of his lips.

Draco watched and felt his chest go slack. She had gotten what she wanted. What more could she possibly want? Only for him to grovel at her feet and tell her how much he loved her. She'd done it. The first time and its ruined in a matter of minutes. She'd pulled Draco down into love with her. Draco's breath caught in his now tight chest as Hermione gripped Ron's cheeks. He jumped off the stage and took off running out of the Great Hall and down through the castle.

Hermione seemed to notice and broke her kiss with Ron and saw Draco running out the door. "Draco!" Hermione picked up her skirt and started after him. But she had lost him. There was no way she'd find him now. Her skirt had slowed her down too much. She felt tears welling in her eyes. She was in love with two people.

~~~*~~~

Harry took the sobbing Hermione back to the common room while the Ball continued on. Ron didn't break up with Lavender, either. He loved Hermione and Hermione loved him, but Hermione loved Draco, too. Harry had to carry her. She kept stumbling on the dress and he didn't want her to ruin the dress. He knew how much it cost.

He lay Hermione on the couch where she lay and cried. Harry sat by her feet and stroked her back, whispering.

"Shhh, it'll be okay, Hermione, it'll be okay."

~~~*~~~

{A/N: Shorter than usual. It seems really hard to keep writing this, so I'm going to stop. Sorry about the whole twisted ball, but someone asked me to write something exciting for the ball, so I did! Hope that's exciting enough, and you're in a half-cliffie. Evil me! Evil me! Anyways, on my website(the one at the top of my profile!) there are some piccys of the girls in their ball gowns. Check them out and sign my guest book! Thanks! Oh, an REVIEWWWWWW!!!!!! NO flames, please!}

~EMeRaLdS~