A/N: OK! I'm back with my 6th chapter. Special thanks to the following people: EVERYONE! THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS! HarryPotterCCI: Here for your delight, I included that topless Draco part. Hehe. I know it isnt't a lot, but I didn't know what else to put! Andrea: to everyone else ignore this because she's trying to bug me. We're best friends in reality and she just wants to be mean* Quiet you! Lol! Anonymous: Ooo. I just read it and you are SO RIGHT! THEY ARE SO LIKE THE SAME! Ah! Scary…and note to Imaginative Me: I'm sorry that my chapter 4 is like your beginning chapter. Pure coincidence! Honestly! Johanna: I just fixed a phrase in the Hospital Wing scene, and that's all really. Hehe. Night Spirit: That's ok. I was a bit worried for a second cuz ya know ORIGINALITY ROX! I've had to many chocolate frogs…I put in the love potion because I didn't want Draco and Herm to fall in love right at the beginning, so I thought the potion would add a twist. Thanks for telling me though! Bdwrm: Amusing eh? Is that a good or a bad thing!?
Thanks to my two Beta Readers: Professor Cortex and Professor Hullabub! I uploaded this before sending this to you, so changes will be made after you've replied my emails!
In this chapter I quickly skim over the next few weeks so you guys can read about the ball! Enjoy! MERRY CHRISTMAS! My gift to you!
Disclaimer: Plot's mine, anything you don't know or think is in the HP books is mine. Everything else is JKR's.
Chapter 6: The Concert Ball
September passed quickly for Draco and Hermione. Nothing really happened throughout the month. Other than that Ginny and Harry were now a couple. Ron was still single. They couldn't really talk a lot to Hermione without Draco "coincidentally" listening in. They occasionally got a quick conversation with her during Care of Magical Creatures and after Potions, but other than that, they were always apart.
As they entered October, people started to talk about the Halloween Ball. There was a scramble for music sheets and "How-To" books for instruments. And, like always, a rush for costume ideas.
Hermione had a sudden inspiration. She and Draco were working on History of Magic homework together on the couch in their common room. Hermione leapt to her feet and dropped her book, quill and parchment on the couch. She closed Draco's book and swept all his stuff on the couch next to hers. She took one of his hands and dragged him out, all the way to the library.
She ran through the shelves of books until selecting one. She quickly signed it out and rushed back to their common room. "What was that for?" asked Draco. He was gasping for air after being half dragged, half running in Hermione's wake.
"Got a book. I hafta get something from Lavender in Gryffindor Tower and you hafta come so stay quiet!"
She went into her room. She had only slept in it once but she had books on the shelves all over the place. Going over to her door to Gryffindor Tower, she silently opened it and peered inside. Nobody was there as they were all in class.
She zoomed through the door, up the stairs, and into the doors into the girls' dormitory. The smell of perfume and hair products lingered around the room. She quickly ruffled through some of Lavenders magazines and pulled out a few. She ran down the stairs, through the door and sat on her bed.
Panting, Draco sat next to her. "Sheesh. You can run fast you know."
"Uh huh." She said absentmindedly.
"What's that for?" he asked pointing to the copies of Witch Weekly and Teen Witch Today.
"For the ball."
"Oh yeah. We're going together then right?"
"Duh. Of course. We hafta stay within 5 feel of each other. Do you think Pansy would like being that close to me?"
"Oh yeah. I didn't say I would bring Pansy." He said haughtily.
"You always go with Pansy." She said matter-of-factly.
"And you always go with Potter or Weasley." He snapped back.
That was true. For the last two balls, Hermione had gone with Ron or Harry. This would be her first dance going with Draco. A thought hit her, "How are we going to show up there without loads of stares?"
"Forget that, but what are we going as? And how are we gonna change?!"
"Ah yes. Well I know what I'm going as. Do you know any mood-showing spells?"
"Dunno. Ask Prof. Flitwick though. Why?"
"No reason." She said quickly, "What are you going as?"
I dunno. Maybe a dementor or something." Draco shrugged, "And what are you going to be?"
"You'll hafta wait and see." She said playfully.
"If you don't tell me I'll give you the dementors kiss!" Draco replied.
"Oh you will, will you! Then I'm not telling!"
Draco swooped in on her and kissed her on the lips. They broke apart laughing then left for Arithmancy.
~*~
He didn't know Hermione slipped in one of the magazines into her Arithmancy book. All throughout the lesson on numerical placement of places around the world, Hermione was secretly flipping throughout the pages of a magazine, carefully hidden from view behind her book. Her eyes widened and she silently gasped in awe at a particular picture of a dress robe. She quickly tore it out and scribbled on a piece of parchment.
To Ginny,
It's me Hermione. I need your help.
On the next Hogsmeade visit, could you go to Gladrags Wizardwear and get the dress in the picture? I need it for the ball. I'd get it myself but it's a surprise for Draco. I'll pay you back. Promise! Thanks so much!
Luv, Hermione
She folded up the picture from the magazine with the letter.
As soon as the bell rang, she quickly packed up and waited for Draco. When he was done, she zoomed off to the Owlery with Draco following close behind. She tied up the letter to the leg of a school owl and let it go.
Then she ran to the library and, like two hours before, searched the many aisles of books. She picked out one called 'Moods: Control How you Feel and How to Show It' and 'Beauty Tricks for the Tricky Beauty: Let Your Inner Cinderella Rise to the Surface', She signed them out and ran back to the common room.
"You really have to warn me before you do that again." Draco sighed, breathing heavily.
"Sorry about that. Really needed the books." She said, flipping through the pages and marking a few.
"Are they for the ball too?"
She nodded.
He rolled his eyes and signed. "Girls" he thought before starting on his Arithmancy homework.
~ In Gryffindor Common Room ~
Ginny was sitting in front of the fire while Harry and Ron were playing chess. TAP TAP.
Looking around, she saw a school barn owl tapping on one of the windows. She opened it and untied the letter. She let the owl sit on the windowsill while she read Hermione's letter. Then she saw the magazine picture and gasped in glee. Quickly scribbling a reply, she pocketed the picture. "I never thought Hermione would want to wear one of those!" she thought before releasing the owl.
~ In the Head Quarters ~
TAP TAP.
Hermione glanced around. Draco was taking a nap on the couch and a barn owl was tapping on the glass. "Damn!" she thought, "Can't move more than 5-feet." She punched Draco hard in the shoulder and he jumped awake, "I'm up!"
She dragged him over to the window, got the owl and let it go after getting the letter." "Argh. Wake me up for a dumb owl." Draco said grumpily. He lay back down on the couch and quickly fell asleep again.
Shaking her head, Hermione opened the letter:
Dear Herm,
I'd be glad to get the dress for you! It's beautiful! Well you're sure to be the belle of the ball!
Luv Ginny
Hermione folded up the note and smiled. Everything was going perfectly. Good thing Draco was asleep to not notice Hermione's hair going slightly golden.
~*~
Weeks went by and the rush for costumes greatly increased. Ginny told Hermione that she'd be going as an angel and Harry as some Shakespearean man. Ron would be going with Lavender as a Quidditch player (Typical she thought/)
Draco kept asking Hermione what she'd be going as, but tried to no avail. "No! You'll hafta wait till the Halloween!"
"But it's only 5 days away! Don't keep me hanging like this!" Draco complained.
"Then 5 days you'll have to wait! You sound like a child Mr. Malfoy."
"That's Mr. Draco Artemis Malfoy to you Granger." He said.
"Artemis? That's your middle name? So you're the dragon from the moon? How nice…"
"Yup. I know it's corny. My mum chose it and my dad chose Draco."
"Interesting…"
Hermione was interrupted by a knock on the common room door…er…statue.
She opened it. It was Ginny holding a box. "Hi Herm! I can finally give you the—"
Hermione cleared her throat and looked at Draco who was hiding out of view. "Oh yeah…well here's the you-know-what. You don't have to pay be back."
"Of course I do! You've done so much Gin!"
"No you don't! I insist!"
"You're sure?"
"Positive! Now I have to go before Harry wonders where I am. Bye!" and Ginny skipped off.
"Oh my gosh. I'm about to faint. A Weasley just turned down money. I must've been hearing things." Draco drawled.
"I wondered when I would hear that drawl again. And shut up."
"Make me."
"Don't you remember what happened the last time you said make me?"
"Ah yes. Pomfrey and Snape had to pull you off of me." He smirked.
She playfully hit his shoulder. Her eyes started to go pink around the edges. "What's up with your eyes Herm?" Draco asked.
She quickly shut them and turned around. "What? Nothing. Probably just a trick of the light. It's getting late. Lemme put this in my room and let's go to the Hospital Wing. I'm tired."
"Whatever." Draco shook his head and followed.
"Oh my gosh! He saw something! I didn't know it would really work that fast! I have to be more careful now." Hermione thought in a panic.
~ Draco's POV ~
As we walked to the Hospital Wing I couldn't help thinking about what I saw. I'm positive I saw what I saw. Hermione's eyes went pink! Pink! She's been very secretive lately. And the box. What was in it? I've got to find out.
~ The day of the ball ~
The big day finally came and everyone was in a frenzy. Classes had been canceled an hour early, but Hermione and Malfoy always had time off.
At 5 o'clock, Dumbledore paid them a visit in their common room. "As you two haven't been to morning announcements, I must tell you now. You two are to share the first dance. It starts at 8, so have 3 hours to get ready. Ends at midnight, but you can leave at any time. Any questions? No? OK. See you later tonight!"
"Oh professor! Where are to change?" Hermione asked.
"I almost forgot. Like I said before, behind curtains in the hospital wing, Miss Granger, you can use the bathroom there."
And Dumbledore left.
Hermione ran to her room and retrieved the box Ginny brought earlier and a bag. "I'm not going to ask." Panted Draco.
~*~
An hour later they left for the Hospital Wing. Hermione retreated to the bathroom and started to change. Draco sighed and relaxed on a nearby bed. After all, he just had to wear a hooded cape with his robes.
Inside the bathroom, Hermione had her wand out and was mumbling spells into her hair. Then she magically turned it into a lighter brown, and put half of it into a ponytail and let the rest flow behind her. She mumbled the same spell at her eyes and hands.
She then put on a long, silverish white dress. It was past her feet but then she put on a pair of strappy, white, one-inch heels, therefore raising the dress to her ankles.
She then put makeup on her eyes, cheeks, and lips. Her eyes had a smoky blue around them, her cheeks a rosy pink. Her lips also had a rosy tinge.
~ Draco's POV ~
Gosh. How long does it take for a girl to wear a dress! She's been in there for over an hour! I guess I should start to change now. I only have an hour.
I pulled off my jeans and put on a pair of black jeans. As I slipped off my robes and threw them onto the bed, the bathroom door clicked and slowly opened. My mouth gaped open as the angel that was Hermione stepped out. I forgot that all I was wearing were my pants, my forgotten robes on the bed next to me.
~ Hermione's POV ~
I think that's all. I looked at the mirror. Everything seemed fine, makeup, hair, dress. Perfect. I wonder if Draco's done. Probably, since he just has a robe and a cape.
I slowly opened the bathroom door and stepped out. OH MY GOSH!! There he was, standing there, gaping at me, topless. His muscular chest just…there. Right there, in front of me. I felt myself blush and wrenched my eyes away to look at his face. I saw his eyes looking me over. Oh my gosh!
~ Draco's POV ~
Wow. She's beautiful. And that isn't the potion talking. I let my eyes roam over body. She was wearing an astounding dress. It was long-sleeved and the sleeves ended at a point around her middle finger. It looked like it was made of silk, or satin, whatever it was, it was elegant. It was in a halter-top style and went down to her ankles. The clingy fabric clung to her body, curves and all. The bottom was loose and fanned out around her ankles.
She spun around once, her hair spinning with her. "What do you think?" I moved my mouth, but no words came out. It was a backless dress and there was a silver chain connecting with the next piece and just hung loosely down. The low back extended to near her butt, which wasn't too bad either…
"Wow." Was all that I finally said.
~ Hermione's POV ~
All he said was 'wow'. I guess that's a good wow. I giggled. "So you like it them?"
He nodded dumbly. He finally snapped back into it and blinked several times. "Um. I better finish changing." I giggled. I've never seen him like this.
He quickly pulled on a black robe. They weren't velvet, but not silk either. Something sleek and expensive. He swung over his back, a silk, but slightly thicker, cloak with a silver clasp, shaped as a dragon. The hood hung on his back. He offered his arm and bowed. He's the perfect gentleman.
I smiled and gave him my hand, which he formally kissed gently. I giggled again and felt my eyes and the streaks in my hair (which I put there of course) go momentarily pink. Then I took his arm and together we left the Hospital Wing.
After what seemed an eternity, we reached the oak doors to the Great Hall. We were fashionably late. When Draco opened the door for me, we walked through and the whole hall fell silent.
~ End of Chapter 6 ~
A/N. I loved writing that chapter! It took ages, but it was worth it. I feel so proud of myself! So I'll try and get the next chapter up fast. And just a note, the plot will thicken soon! So Happy holidays, Merry Christmas and enjoy the season!
**Icy Stormz**