There was a demonic sort of glint in Malfoy's eyes that Hermione
didn't like. She knew how he was. So Hermione ignored it and
danced like she never had before.

Surprisingly he was a good dancer; she hadn't really had the chance
to see him at the Yule Ball. Omigod, Hermione suddenly thought.
What about Krum? What's he going to think if he finds out…well
how's he going to find out anyway? It's a silly little dance, no harm
done. Too bad for him that he's in Bulgaria.

Malfoy interrupted her thoughts by grabbing her arm again, and
bringing her around to face him. He wasn't really that bad, Hermione
thought. Just lose the attitude and he would be somewhat attractive.
But as long as he didn't speak, she wasn't going to complain.

* * *

Harry, totally winded and gasping for breath, finished dancing with
Cho and spotted Ron and Jenna across the room. They weaved their
way across the room at sat down next to them.

"Cho, this is Jenna, Jenna, Cho" Harry told them. They exchanged
smiles and started talking, which was perfect timing for him and Ron
to talk.

"You like her?" Harry said to Ron, indicating Jenna. Ron nodded and
smiled deviously. "Oooh Ron fancies someone!" He said teasingly.

"Oh yeah Potter? Speak for yourself!" Ron said flippantly. "You finally
nabbed her!" Harry punched Ron on the arm and they settled back
into their chairs to drink their bottled water and observe the club.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Ron grabbed Harry's arm and pointed
horrorstruck. Harry followed his gaze and it landed on Hermione and
MALFOY?!

"Omigod." Ron said in an undertone, shocked. He got up suddenly to
most likely punch Malfoy, but Harry's arm restrained him.

"Wait," said Harry, interested." Let's see what happens." Ron gave
him a funny look and reluctantly sat back down.

They watched them dance warily, as if they were parents of two
hormonal teenagers. Finally, when the song ended, Malfoy put his
arm around Hermione's neck (Ron jumped to his feet) and in slow
motion, it seemed, brought their faces together (Harry jumped to his
feet) and kissed her. She was unresisting.

That did it, both of them couldn't reach Hermione fast enough. Jenna
and Cho were at their heels, wondering what the heck was going on.
They skidded next to a stop at Hermione's side, and started yelling.

"What the hell d'ya think your.."

"Are you crazy? You must be out of…"

"Him? Of all people? Why couldn't…"

Hermione merely turned around and pressed her fingers to both their
lips, shushing them. Over her shoulder, Malfoy was smirking in a
macho way.

"Trust me." She smiled at them. Harry was somewhat puzzled by this
and from Ron's look, so was he. He had only a few moments to
ponder this before Hermione explained herself. In a big way.

Hermione whipped around to face Malfoy. She grabbed his shirt and
pulled him in close and kissed him again. Harry started toward them,
but interestingly enough, Ron stopped him.

"Wait." He whispered.

Suddenly, Hermione pulled out of the kiss and mustering all the
strength she had, shoved Malfoy directly into the wall.

"You think I fell for that? I know you better than you think, you
jackass. You thought you had me swept up in your arms, but it's the
other way around, sweetie pie. You didn't come just because your
mom made you, do you really think I'm that stupid? You're nothing to
me, Malfoy."

Everyone but Hermione was aghast. A burly security guard was
approaching out of the corner of Harry's eye, but he didn't care.
Malfoy was staring at Hermione, still against the wall, wide-eyed and
sputtering like some kind of motor, brilliantly pink and totally shocked.

"When you ask yourself why, just think of all the times you made fun
of us. Now get out of my sight. You make me want to puke."

* * *

They had been kicked out of the club, and Jenna had called her
parents to come pick the lot of them up. They were standing out on
the sidewalk, still awestruck at Hermione. Even Cho and Jenna were
impressed. Malfoy was sitting on a bench a couple yards away,
sulking.

The drive home was almost silent in Jenna's car. They dropped Cho
off in the London suburbs, and 20 minutes later they came to a stop
at Hermione's house. Jenna bid them all goodbye (looking
significantly at Ron) and she drove away.

Hermione, Ron, Harry and Malfoy tiptoed into her house. Ron snuck
a glance at the kitchen clock. It read 1:30 am. Hermione coldly
directed Malfoy to the couch in the den and then Harry and Ron
made their way upstairs. They collapsed into their cots and fell
asleep, each rehashing the day's events again and again until they
drifted off into a peaceful slumber.

* * *

Downstairs in Hermione's den a minute crack appeared in the wall,
unbeknownst to the trio upstairs. The room tingled with ancient magic
for a second, and the crack sealed back up again. The ancient magic
invoked to keep the Chamber of Secrets intact was wearing away
with the passing minutes.

* * *

Hey please don't get mad at me for Malfoy...I warned you guys in the
summary! Any flamers will be removed... more on the Chamber of
Secrets in the coming chapters. R/R everyone!

~Ice Princess