A/N- 4th chapter here. Come and read it! (*
DISCLAIMER: ok, you have 20 seconds to answer who this all belongs to. Duh- duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh, duh-duh-duh-duh-duh, duh-duh-duh-duh, duh-duh-duh- duh-duh-duh-duh, duh duh duh duh duh duh duh duh. Times up. If u answered J.K.Rowling, Congratulations! U are not an airhead. If u answered Warner Brothers, than you are WRONG! In my fics, J.K.Rowling owns EVERYTHING ('cept the plot). If u answered Penguins, and Monkeys, and Zebras (o my!) then u will kindly stay after class and write on the blackboard - " I am mentally deranged, I am mentally deranged, I am."
THE DECISION
Hermione walked through classes for the next two days in a daze. The shock finally wore off on the third morning after "The Asking". The Trio was at a late breakfast, and Ron had just finished buttering a piece of toast when -
"Seamus asked me to go to the Yule Ball with him." Hermione said dully.
" That's nice." said Ron, who was concentrated on his toast.
" I thought he had been looking at you funny lately. See, she was right Ron." Harry replied.
" That's nice." said Ron.
" So did Malfoy." Hermione said, as though she had never been interrupted.
" That's nice." said Ron. " Harry, will you pass me some jam? I think this butter is a little - WHAT?" Harry just stared.
" Malfoy asked me to the ball. At the exact same time as Seamus."
" Are we talking about the same Malfoy? Draco Malfoy?" Harry asked.
" Harry. How many Draco Malfoys do you know?" Hermione asked.
" So that's a yes?" Harry asked again.
" What did you say Hermione?" said Ron, wide-eyed.
" Nothing. I ran away."
" No wonder you've been acting funny for the past two days. I thought you'd gone mental, not answering any questions in class like that." Harry said.
" When did they ask you?" Ron said.
" While you guys were in detention. I had been expecting it from Seamus. I knew he was going to ask me. But Malfoy - he - he asked too, and things got ugly from there."
" So what are you gonna do Herm?" asked Harry.
" She's going to go with Seamus of course! What else?" Ron retorted
Hermione found herself a little angry at this last comment. Yes, she was probably going with Seamus, but why was Ron playing mother and making decisions for her?
" How do you know I'm going with Seamus? I might just be planning on going with Malfoy thanks."
" Hah, hah. Funny Herm. But you'll never pull a joke like that on us."
" Oh yeah? Well, Ronald Weasley, I think I'm going to go with Malfoy just to spite you."
" You wouldn't!" Ron said with horror.
" I think she's being serious." said Harry, who was half laughing at Ron, but half feeling sick at Hermione's decision.
" I am. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go find a certain Malfoy and inform him of my decision." Hermione said, and started making her way to the doors.
" The world is coming to an end." Ron said miserably. Before you know it, she's going to go over to You-Know-Who's side."
As the two watched their best friend leave, Harry hoped to anything that Ron was joking.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hermione didn't know what to do. She had never even thought of considering going to the ball with Malfoy, but Ron had made her so mad! And she just couldn't resist the temptation of seeing the look on his face when she said she wanted to go with their sworn enemy. Now Hermione felt utterly stupid. What could she do? Yes, there was the choice of going back to the Gryffindor table and pretending it was all a big joke. But Hermione didn't feel like doing that. She was not in the mood to get some cocky comment from Ron about "knowing it was a joke the whole time." So Hermione gritted her teeth, pushed aside all thoughts of having a nice night at the ball with Seamus, and tried to get Malfoy's attention.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Draco Malfoy was in a fix. He had summoned up the courage (not that he lacked it in the first place) to ask the Mudblood to the Yule Ball, and what had she done? Run away. It was horribly embarrassing, and he was very glad the only other person that had been there was Finnigan. A girl running away from a Malfoy. It was shameful. Not to mention, he was loosing the bet. Which was not good at all. It was a simple bet. All that was required was to get one's sworn enemy of five years to go to a school dance. Not hard really. Yet he was loosing. Draco sighed. He was NOT looking forward to being Pansy's pet for a week. Stupid Hermione. he thought. Always messing something up. Now she'll probably go apologize to Finnigan, and agree to go with him. Or she'll spend the whole dance in the library. I wouldn't have minded going with her really. But that's just because I wouldn't want to loose the bet. he quickly thought. He pushed aside the other reason he might have wanted to go with Hermione into the back of his mind. It was curiously disgusting, this other reason. And Draco had no idea why he had thought it, but he tried not to again in a hurry. He was just sinking into even more depressing thoughts (like how he was suppose to explain Mr. Twinkles to the whole school), when he felt a rough tap on his shoulder.
" What?" Draco asked sourly, as Crabbe continued to pound on his arm.
" Who's that girl waving at you? I think she wants to talk to you or something. Ow. My head hurts now. I think I thought to much." Crabbe answered.
" What girl?" Draco asked, ignoring Crabbe's last two comments.
" The one by the doors."
" Oh." was all Draco could say. Because there, waving at him in an awkward manner was Hermione Granger. And she looked like she might have had a change of heart about the Yule Ball.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Seamus Finnigan was in a very bad mood. He had never been so confused and angry in his life. He had been so nervous when he asked Hermione to the ball, then felt relief when he said it. And Seamus was pretty sure she was going to say yes, really he was. But for some un-known reason, Draco Malfoy had asked Hermione to the ball, at the exact same time. Seamus for the life of him couldn't figure out why. He knew Hermione was bound to have some other admirers, what with how she had changed over the summer. But Draco Malfoy? That was. scary. And it would have been ok, even though Draco asked at the same time as Seamus. Hermione could have laughed in Draco's face, taken Seamus's arm, said that she had always been waiting for this, and drawn him into a passionate kiss. Or that's what Seamus wished had happened. Instead, he got into a horrible insult contest with Malfoy, and Hermione had run away. Now Seamus couldn't stop thinking about her, and wondering if she wanted to go with him, Malfoy (at this idea, Seamus felt violently ill), or neither. It was horrible, wondering if the love of your life was going to turn you down for one of Voldemort's followers. Seamus suddenly felt depressed, and began to wallow in self-pity. A sudden movement caught his attention by the doors. And Seamus's wondering quickly became a nightmare, as he watched Draco Malfoy walk over to Hermione, grab her shoulder, and lead her out of the Great Hall. Seamus wallowed even more.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hermione grimaced with pain. Draco Malfoy's fingers were practically glued onto her shoulder blades. She didn't know where they were going, but she let Draco lead her out of the Great Hall anyway. He pushed her down a corridor, down some stairs, and into an empty classroom.
" Ok, we can't be seen in here. Now what did you want to talk to me about Hermione?" Draco asked with hope in his voice. " If it's about the Yule Ball, then I can explain. I just wanted you to go with me, what with how pretty yo."
" Cut the crap Malfoy" Hermione interrupted. " I'm very sure you don't really want to go to the ball with me because you suddenly like me. And in no way do I like you. But if you still want to go with me, I'm willing. I've got my reasons, you've got yours."
" Well, if you put it that way Granger. then yes, I'll still go with you. But why the sudden change of heart?" Draco asked.
" Ron." Hermione said between pursed lips. " You?"
" Er, a, er, a bet. I had to get you to go to the ball with me, or else, something rather unpleasant was going to happen."
" Not that I really want to help you win a stupid Slytherin bet, but I want to get back at Ron so bad. He's so over - protective, and he makes decisions for me. Do you know what he said the other day? He said " Hermione, I think you need to start wearing high-neck robes. The ones you wear are to revealing." And then he told Harry that I was going to the ball with Seamus. He didn't even ask me!" Hermione wailed. Draco just let her talk. It seemed like she had wanted to say all of this for ages.
I kind of feel sorry for her. He thought. Wow, Granger looks pretty when she's upset. Maybe taking her to the ball won't be so bad.
" Hey, Hermione. This ball thing might be sort of fun; I mean us going together and all. Maybe?"
Hermione stared at Draco Malfoy like he has grown three heads. And she laughed. He looked back at her, and burst out in a fit of laughter too.
" That's a good one Malfoy. You may a pale blonde haired jerk, but at least you can joke. Well, got to go. Harry and Ron will be wondering if we're in a closet somewhere making out. Guess I need to go stop their worrying. And if anybody asks, yes, we're going to the ball with each other, NO, we are not going out, k? See you in class tomorrow." With that, Hermione rushed out of the room, leaving Draco standing by himself.
He grinned at the prospect of winning the bet, and was half way out of the room when he stopped. He had just remembered something Hermione had said when he told her that the ball might be fun when they went together. Herman had laughed, and answered " You may be a pale blonde jerk, but at least you can joke." He had laughed with her - it was kind of funny at the time. But now, Draco realized with growing alarm, that he hadn't been joking.
DISCLAIMER: ok, you have 20 seconds to answer who this all belongs to. Duh- duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh, duh-duh-duh-duh-duh, duh-duh-duh-duh, duh-duh-duh- duh-duh-duh-duh, duh duh duh duh duh duh duh duh. Times up. If u answered J.K.Rowling, Congratulations! U are not an airhead. If u answered Warner Brothers, than you are WRONG! In my fics, J.K.Rowling owns EVERYTHING ('cept the plot). If u answered Penguins, and Monkeys, and Zebras (o my!) then u will kindly stay after class and write on the blackboard - " I am mentally deranged, I am mentally deranged, I am."
THE DECISION
Hermione walked through classes for the next two days in a daze. The shock finally wore off on the third morning after "The Asking". The Trio was at a late breakfast, and Ron had just finished buttering a piece of toast when -
"Seamus asked me to go to the Yule Ball with him." Hermione said dully.
" That's nice." said Ron, who was concentrated on his toast.
" I thought he had been looking at you funny lately. See, she was right Ron." Harry replied.
" That's nice." said Ron.
" So did Malfoy." Hermione said, as though she had never been interrupted.
" That's nice." said Ron. " Harry, will you pass me some jam? I think this butter is a little - WHAT?" Harry just stared.
" Malfoy asked me to the ball. At the exact same time as Seamus."
" Are we talking about the same Malfoy? Draco Malfoy?" Harry asked.
" Harry. How many Draco Malfoys do you know?" Hermione asked.
" So that's a yes?" Harry asked again.
" What did you say Hermione?" said Ron, wide-eyed.
" Nothing. I ran away."
" No wonder you've been acting funny for the past two days. I thought you'd gone mental, not answering any questions in class like that." Harry said.
" When did they ask you?" Ron said.
" While you guys were in detention. I had been expecting it from Seamus. I knew he was going to ask me. But Malfoy - he - he asked too, and things got ugly from there."
" So what are you gonna do Herm?" asked Harry.
" She's going to go with Seamus of course! What else?" Ron retorted
Hermione found herself a little angry at this last comment. Yes, she was probably going with Seamus, but why was Ron playing mother and making decisions for her?
" How do you know I'm going with Seamus? I might just be planning on going with Malfoy thanks."
" Hah, hah. Funny Herm. But you'll never pull a joke like that on us."
" Oh yeah? Well, Ronald Weasley, I think I'm going to go with Malfoy just to spite you."
" You wouldn't!" Ron said with horror.
" I think she's being serious." said Harry, who was half laughing at Ron, but half feeling sick at Hermione's decision.
" I am. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go find a certain Malfoy and inform him of my decision." Hermione said, and started making her way to the doors.
" The world is coming to an end." Ron said miserably. Before you know it, she's going to go over to You-Know-Who's side."
As the two watched their best friend leave, Harry hoped to anything that Ron was joking.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hermione didn't know what to do. She had never even thought of considering going to the ball with Malfoy, but Ron had made her so mad! And she just couldn't resist the temptation of seeing the look on his face when she said she wanted to go with their sworn enemy. Now Hermione felt utterly stupid. What could she do? Yes, there was the choice of going back to the Gryffindor table and pretending it was all a big joke. But Hermione didn't feel like doing that. She was not in the mood to get some cocky comment from Ron about "knowing it was a joke the whole time." So Hermione gritted her teeth, pushed aside all thoughts of having a nice night at the ball with Seamus, and tried to get Malfoy's attention.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Draco Malfoy was in a fix. He had summoned up the courage (not that he lacked it in the first place) to ask the Mudblood to the Yule Ball, and what had she done? Run away. It was horribly embarrassing, and he was very glad the only other person that had been there was Finnigan. A girl running away from a Malfoy. It was shameful. Not to mention, he was loosing the bet. Which was not good at all. It was a simple bet. All that was required was to get one's sworn enemy of five years to go to a school dance. Not hard really. Yet he was loosing. Draco sighed. He was NOT looking forward to being Pansy's pet for a week. Stupid Hermione. he thought. Always messing something up. Now she'll probably go apologize to Finnigan, and agree to go with him. Or she'll spend the whole dance in the library. I wouldn't have minded going with her really. But that's just because I wouldn't want to loose the bet. he quickly thought. He pushed aside the other reason he might have wanted to go with Hermione into the back of his mind. It was curiously disgusting, this other reason. And Draco had no idea why he had thought it, but he tried not to again in a hurry. He was just sinking into even more depressing thoughts (like how he was suppose to explain Mr. Twinkles to the whole school), when he felt a rough tap on his shoulder.
" What?" Draco asked sourly, as Crabbe continued to pound on his arm.
" Who's that girl waving at you? I think she wants to talk to you or something. Ow. My head hurts now. I think I thought to much." Crabbe answered.
" What girl?" Draco asked, ignoring Crabbe's last two comments.
" The one by the doors."
" Oh." was all Draco could say. Because there, waving at him in an awkward manner was Hermione Granger. And she looked like she might have had a change of heart about the Yule Ball.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Seamus Finnigan was in a very bad mood. He had never been so confused and angry in his life. He had been so nervous when he asked Hermione to the ball, then felt relief when he said it. And Seamus was pretty sure she was going to say yes, really he was. But for some un-known reason, Draco Malfoy had asked Hermione to the ball, at the exact same time. Seamus for the life of him couldn't figure out why. He knew Hermione was bound to have some other admirers, what with how she had changed over the summer. But Draco Malfoy? That was. scary. And it would have been ok, even though Draco asked at the same time as Seamus. Hermione could have laughed in Draco's face, taken Seamus's arm, said that she had always been waiting for this, and drawn him into a passionate kiss. Or that's what Seamus wished had happened. Instead, he got into a horrible insult contest with Malfoy, and Hermione had run away. Now Seamus couldn't stop thinking about her, and wondering if she wanted to go with him, Malfoy (at this idea, Seamus felt violently ill), or neither. It was horrible, wondering if the love of your life was going to turn you down for one of Voldemort's followers. Seamus suddenly felt depressed, and began to wallow in self-pity. A sudden movement caught his attention by the doors. And Seamus's wondering quickly became a nightmare, as he watched Draco Malfoy walk over to Hermione, grab her shoulder, and lead her out of the Great Hall. Seamus wallowed even more.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hermione grimaced with pain. Draco Malfoy's fingers were practically glued onto her shoulder blades. She didn't know where they were going, but she let Draco lead her out of the Great Hall anyway. He pushed her down a corridor, down some stairs, and into an empty classroom.
" Ok, we can't be seen in here. Now what did you want to talk to me about Hermione?" Draco asked with hope in his voice. " If it's about the Yule Ball, then I can explain. I just wanted you to go with me, what with how pretty yo."
" Cut the crap Malfoy" Hermione interrupted. " I'm very sure you don't really want to go to the ball with me because you suddenly like me. And in no way do I like you. But if you still want to go with me, I'm willing. I've got my reasons, you've got yours."
" Well, if you put it that way Granger. then yes, I'll still go with you. But why the sudden change of heart?" Draco asked.
" Ron." Hermione said between pursed lips. " You?"
" Er, a, er, a bet. I had to get you to go to the ball with me, or else, something rather unpleasant was going to happen."
" Not that I really want to help you win a stupid Slytherin bet, but I want to get back at Ron so bad. He's so over - protective, and he makes decisions for me. Do you know what he said the other day? He said " Hermione, I think you need to start wearing high-neck robes. The ones you wear are to revealing." And then he told Harry that I was going to the ball with Seamus. He didn't even ask me!" Hermione wailed. Draco just let her talk. It seemed like she had wanted to say all of this for ages.
I kind of feel sorry for her. He thought. Wow, Granger looks pretty when she's upset. Maybe taking her to the ball won't be so bad.
" Hey, Hermione. This ball thing might be sort of fun; I mean us going together and all. Maybe?"
Hermione stared at Draco Malfoy like he has grown three heads. And she laughed. He looked back at her, and burst out in a fit of laughter too.
" That's a good one Malfoy. You may a pale blonde haired jerk, but at least you can joke. Well, got to go. Harry and Ron will be wondering if we're in a closet somewhere making out. Guess I need to go stop their worrying. And if anybody asks, yes, we're going to the ball with each other, NO, we are not going out, k? See you in class tomorrow." With that, Hermione rushed out of the room, leaving Draco standing by himself.
He grinned at the prospect of winning the bet, and was half way out of the room when he stopped. He had just remembered something Hermione had said when he told her that the ball might be fun when they went together. Herman had laughed, and answered " You may be a pale blonde jerk, but at least you can joke." He had laughed with her - it was kind of funny at the time. But now, Draco realized with growing alarm, that he hadn't been joking.
