Hermione woke the morning of the Ball to the sight of her windowsill covered in red roses. She stood and padded over, taking in the romantic scent. As she bent to read the note, she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her waist.
"Good morning, beautiful," Harry's melodic voice filled her ears and his breath tickled her neck. She smiled, and turned in his arms to embrace him.
"What's all this for?" she asked as she pulled away.
"What, you didn't read the note?" he joked.
She smirked and turned, picking up the small strip of parchment.
~My love, will you do me the honor of accompanying me to the Yule Ball tonight?~
She shook her head disbelievingly, and kissed him on the cheek.
"Of course I'll go with you, Harry. Who else would I go with?" He shrugged and crossed his arms.
"Malfoy?" Hermione choked on her next words, and Harry worriedly patted her on the back. She laughed at the thought, holding back a larger laugh at the irony.
"You alright Mione?" she nodded. "Then how about some breakfast." He guided her back to her bed and sat her down, propping her up against the pillows. "Oh Dobby!" Dobby appeared with a pop carrying a tray full of breakfast items for two. He pulled up a chair and dove into his eggs. She smiled and did the same. She checked the time and found that it was only 7:30, plenty of time to finish this and get ready for classes. She saw her and Harry's bags over by the door, and looked at him quizzically.
"Oh, yeah, all you have to do is get dressed. I even got Lavender to take care of your morning prefect duties." She smiled and hugged him, rather awkwardly, from her position on the bed.
"What did I do to deserve you?" she joked.
"What do you mean what did you do? I'm still trying to pay off my debt!" He laughed and his eyes danced. They finished their breakfast and he waited in the common room while she changed. They walked down to Transfiguration together, and were early enough to help a few lost first years. Harry laughed and shook his head.
"They've been here since September and their still getting lost."
"Don't scoff. I remember your first day in Transfiguration." Harry grimaced at the memory, but he laughed with her just the same. As they entered, Hermione noticed the only two empty seats were next to Ron and Draco. Prat must have arranged it that way. Harry looked nervously around the room.
"Mione, you go sit by Ron." He pushed her in the direction of Ron's table, but she stopped.
"No, Harry. I'd rather you not be next to Malfoy; you're his favorite target. I'll be okay. Besides, he may have the upper hand in potions, but he's on Gryffindor territory now." She gestured to McGonagall eyeing the Slytherins carefully. Harry pressed his lips together, but sighed.
"Alright, if you think it's okay. But if he does or says anything to you, tell me or Ron and we'll take care of it."
She scoffed, "Honestly, you boys think everything must be solved with violence." She sat rather smartly in her chair, and Draco eyed her out of the corner of his eye. Harry sat rather fidgety next to Ron, both boys glancing over their shoulders every now and then to make sure she was alright. During a period in which both boys were occupied, Draco leaned over and whispered.
"Little protective, aren't they?"
"Can you blame them? Probably think you'll hex me when they're not looking."
"I wouldn't put it past me." And that was it. Nothing more. But it still left Hermione stumped. She was so preoccupied that she almost didn't completely turn her staff into a snake. Most of the Gryffindors were too skittish to complete the transformation, but all of the Slytherins did it perfectly. In the end, the only Gryffindors able to do it completely were Harry and Hermione.
Goyle smirked at his counterpart and set his snake upon Hermione. It landed on the back of her chair, and hissed violently in her hair. Draco reacted quickly and turned the snake back into a staff, letting it clatter to the floor. He then turned to Goyle, who was staring at him, shocked.
"You idiot! It could have bitten me! I can't believe you are so stupid!" McGonagall came over and broke up the clamor, then dismissed the class. Draco stormed out, not waiting for Crabbe and Goyle to follow him. Harry and Ron caught up with Hermione outside in the hall.
"That was weird," Ron said, "I mean, all he had to do was back up a little to get out of the way. It was almost as if he was saving you." This set the trio into fits of laughter all the to Herbology.
The rest of the day, Hermione thought about the events of the morning. Draco was definitely not as bad as everyone made him out to be, but then why was he acting like such a prat at times. Of course, Mione, his father. She had to admit, Lucius Malfoy was not one for pleasantries. She shuddered to think what would happen if and when he found out about Draco and Ginny. She realized he would find out, probably by another Slytherin squealing to him. She wondered if Draco would then stay by Ginny, or dump her in favor of his father's wishes. Hermione hated to think it, but he would more than likely dump her.
But, she had to remind herself, he has been acting rather human lately. Perhaps Ginny was right about him. She shook that thought out of her head as Ginny came bounding up to her in the common room.
"Herms, will you help me get ready?"
"Sure Gins. I have to get ready too."
"Oh, so Harry finally asked you."
"Of course he did. But that's not the whole story." They commandeered the prefects' bathroom and got ready, all the while Hermione told Ginny the events of this morning, with Ginny placing her "ohs" and "awws" in the right places.
Two hours later (and ten minutes to the Ball), the girls emerged, completely transformed. Hermione had put on a silky blue dress robe with a black shawl draped over her shoulders. Her brown hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail, with small wisps dangling freely, framing her face.
Ginny was wearing a forest green robe with black shoes. Hermione had french-braided her hair and sprinkled a little glitter in it to give it a shine. As they exited the bathroom and made their way to the Gryffindor common room, they received stares from the couples already making their way to the Great Hall. Ginny said goodbye and went to the place where she was to meet Draco. Hermione entered the common room and Harry's eyes widened. He was wearing a deep blue robe he had picked up at Hogsmeade on the last visit. He kissed her lightly on her cheek and placed a white flower in her hair. She took his arm and together, with Ron and Lavender, they went to the Great Hall.
The music had already begun as they entered, so Harry led Hermione straight to the dance floor. Only a few moments later, a clamor broke out, and Hermione knew who had walked in. As expected, the first voice she heard was Ron.
"Get away from her, you prat!" Harry shoved his way to the commotion and saw Ron shove Draco away from Ginny. Ginny, who hated to be "protected" by her older brothers, shoved Ron right back.
"Ron, you're the only prat here. Now go away, and do not speak to me unless you can be civil." Harry was standing behind Ron now, and Hermione had come up beside him.
"Ginny, are you here with Draco?"
"Of course I am Harry." Ginny, for her credit, made no mention of Hermione's involvement at this point. Draco had recovered his dignity and reclaimed his position next to Ginny. Unbeknownst to everyone else, two figures slipped out of the Great Hall and slunk down to the dungeons.
Harry turned to Draco and stepped a little closer. He looked over at Ginny, who seemed to be genuinely happy. He nodded at her, then looked back to the Slytherin.
"You treat her badly, I hear about it. That is not something you want to happen." Back to Ginny, "Have a good night." He took Hermione and the couple resumed dancing. Ron looked totally flabbergasted, but Lavender led him away. Most stayed away from Ginny and Draco that night, but the few that did make snide comment were soundly defeated by Draco.
At one point, Hermione was left alone as Harry went to get punch. She wandered around the room, smiling as her friends had the best night of their lives. At one point, she walked up to Draco and Ginny, who were twirling around on the floor. Draco stopped for a moment, excused himself from Ginny, and walked over to Hermione.
"Thank you, Granger. This would not have been possible had you not helped."
"Not at all Malfoy, and it's Hermione. The only one who calls me Granger is Professor Snape."
"Draco, Hermione. And thank you again." He walked back over to Ginny, apologized for leaving her side (in which time one Ravenclaw fourth year made a move on her, who she quickly dismissed rather harshly), and took her back up in his arms and they began dancing again. Hermione returned to the spot where Harry had left her to find him in an almost panic looking for her.
"Relax, I just went to talk to some friends of mine."
"Relax? Who's panicking? I was about to spill your punch!" They laughed and talked for a long while about what they would do after Hogwarts, what each thought was going to be on the OWLS, and who would teach DADA next year. In all the years they had been here, not one DADA teacher ever repeated a year. This year's professor wasn't looking too promising either. She was just too chicken of the really powerful hexes and curses, and the students wondered how she even got the position in the first place.
Being a Friday night, Dumbledore gave them a special treat and let them stay up until midnight. The night slowly wore down, and things settled down considerably. As Ron saw the way Draco treated his little sister and even defended her from his own housemates, he let them be. A slow dance had just ended when Draco felt someone tap his shoulder with a staff.
"Draco, good to see you son." Draco held back a groan and turned to face his father. Harry had seen Lucius walk in and began to discreetly move himself closer to defend Ginny if needed. But he knew that with the professors here, Lucius wouldn't try anything drastic. Harry looked up to the Head Table to see only Snape and Sprout sitting there. Harry groaned as Snape hastily made an exit to avoid questioning from Lucius. If Lucius knew that Snape had not interfered, he would be under closer scrutiny, and that was not something he needed right now. Sprout stood to try and get a better look at the altercation, but many students blocked her view.
"Father, what a pleasant surprise. I was not informed that you would be visiting." Draco tried to remain as calm as he sounded, but was failing miserably.
"Well, when I was told that my son was seen associating with riff-raff, I didn't believe it. But I came immediately to discover the truth for myself, and what do I find?" He turned his cold stare on Ginny, who narrowed her eyes at him. She was not going to be intimidated by this man, no matter what his position in the Ministry. Lucius returned the gesture, then looked back at his son, who was glaring daggers at him. Lucius was momentarily surprised at his son's actions, and the emotion flitted across his face, but only for a split second.
"Father," he spat the title, "I will not have you addressing my date as riff-raff. I've made no mention of the company you keep." Lucius restrained himself from slapping the boy's face. How dare he speak to his father that way!
"Be that as it may," he drawled, "You will no longer have to worry about your date. Your mother and I were saving this bit of information for the Christmas holidays, but I think it best you know now. You will not be returning to Hogwarts next semester. Instead, you are to be transferred to Durmstrang. And that is final." Draco face turned as red as Ron's hair.
"I will not! You can't pull me out of this school! I will not stand for it. If you transfer me to that school, I will purposely flunk out!" Draco analyzed his words in his head and realized he no longer had control over his speech. Something other than his brain was controlling his words.
"Impudent boy! You will do as I say! You are acting far too childish for a boy of your status!" Lucius made a move to grab Draco's arm, but he pulled back.
"No! I am not acting childish! It is you who has no regard for the feelings of others!" Draco spat every word into his father's face, and before Lucius could respond in kind, another voice broke in.
"And what, exactly, are those feelings dear boy?" All eyes turned to the Headmaster, who was flanked by McGonagall and Snape, who was looking astonished. To Lucius, this was a result of his discovery of Draco's choice of date. In reality, it was at the boy's words. Dumbledore looked at Draco questioningly, as his father looked at him menacingly. Draco fumbled for the words to explain, and a small hand touched his arm. Ginny had moved closer to support him, and Lucius was leveling a death glare at her. Something inside Draco flared up, and he exploded.
"I love her!" The dead silence that followed was the longest in Hogwarts' history. Harry stood wide-eyed, while Hermione was smiling. He looked over and mouthed to her.
~You knew?~
~Yeah, I was sworn to silence. Forgive me?~
~Of course.~
If it were not unbecoming of a man of his status, Lucius Malfoy would have stood mouth agape and wide-eyed. Instead, he turned his glare to his son.
"Lust, I can understand, Draco. I was once consumed by it as well. Perhaps if you give it time, use her as you will, then leave her. I can…consent to that."
This time, Draco did not hold back. He pulled his wand and leveled it at his father's chest. "You have taught me many ways in which to inflict pain on a person, and even used a couple on me. Do not tempt me to reciprocate." Lucius now stood wide-eyed as his own son threatened him in favor of this Muggle-loving weakling! He stood up taller and stuck his nose in the air.
"You have dishonored me and disgraced your name. You are no longer my son." With that, he turned and strode out of the hall. Draco pocketed his wand and turned to Ginny.
"I am truly sorry for what he has said. I would never think of you in that fashion, and I hope that is mutual." He stood head down-turned, waiting for her reply.
Ginny blushed full crimson as most of the school stood, waiting. Draco had not only defended her, but stood up against his father, and subsequently lost everything, because of her. Carefully, she placed her finger under his chin and lifted his head for him to meet her eyes.
"Draco, many would say we are too young to know what love is. Now, I don't know if what I am feeling is love, but I do know I have never felt it before. What you did just now was amazing. I never thought anyone would ever do that for me, and forgive this next statement, least of all you. But if you are willing to do that for me, then I do believe that you love me. And because of that, I know that I love you too." The entire assembly broke into applause as she wrapped her arms around him and embraced him firmly. Dumbledore looked like a child after opening is most wanted Christmas present, and McGonagall had tears in her eyes. The only one in the room who looked about ready to be sick was Snape. He quickly excused himself to his dungeons.
Harry grinned and Hermione took his hand. He looked over, smiling down at her. Suddenly his expression became very serious. Her brow furrowed in confusion.
"Harry, what's the matter?"
"I just realized something," he stated simply.
"What is that?" She barely got the sentence out before he leaned over and kissed her. She smiled, taking in his scent, and deepened the kiss. When they broke apart, she gave him a questioning glance.
"I've never really kissed you before." He smiled, and she leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. Dumbledore's voice rang through the tumult.
"Alright everyone! It is about time for this party to be over. But, as you have no classes tomorrow, and your professors have given you a light load this weekend (this received a few unbelieving laughs), I will permit you to continue the party in your common rooms. And before anyone asks, yes, there may be inter-house mingling for tonight only. But boys will sleep in boys' dorms, and girls in the girls' dormitories. Professors will be checking up on you now and again. Professor McGonagall, please go tell the younger students there will be a camp-out in the Great Hall for them." The Deputy Headmistress rushed out to complete her task as the students rejoiced. Harry walked over to Draco and Ginny, who had kissed each other as soon as the Headmaster's back was turned.
"Ahem," they jumped apart, and Ginny laughed at Harry's "big brother" face. "Draco, you are welcome to come to the Gryffindor common room. I'm sure your housemates will not be too happy with you right now."
"Thanks Po—Harry. Wow, that's going to take some getting used to." Hermione joined them and took Harry's hand, and the four trekked up to Gryffindor Tower to spend the night partying and being better acquainted. Harry had the distinct feeling he was going to be seeing a lot more of Draco in the future, and he smiled.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Finito! I think that was a good ending, but what does everyone else think? Oh, and I realized I completely forgot my disclaimer at the beginning. I completely and totally disclaim it all. There, done. Hope everyone enjoyed!