She gasped as they got into view of the entrance. Over the top was a large banner, proclaiming, "The Yule Ball" in sparkly writing. On each side was a large mural of Hermione and Draco respectively, smiling and waving to people coming in. "Draco…" The mural was beautiful. "Did you paint them yourself?"

            He shrugged, nodding. "With the help of magic, of course."

            "It's beautiful."

            As they entered, she was happy to see that everything was perfect and running smoothly. She spotted Harry and Ginny, waving from their table. She waved back as Draco propelled her to the head table.

            "Good evening, Miss Granger… Mr. Malfoy. The decorations look lovely," Dumbledor said as they seated themselves. "You make an excellent team."

            "Thank you," Hermione replied, blushing, and looked down at her plate. A single red rose lay in the middle, a note wrapped around it. She picked up the note and read it:

We make ourselves a place apart

Behind light words that tease and flout,

But oh, the agitated heart

Till someone find us really out.

Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I've tasted of desire

I hold with those who favour fire.

So all who hide too well away

Must speak and tell us where they are.

She looked up at Draco, meeting his gaze squarely then looking away under its intensity. "Thank you," she whispered to him, taking it and placing it beside her fork, along with the rose. It was his way of doing things. He couldn't say his emotions so he would have to use written words. Well, that was fine…

            His reply was stifled by Professor Dumbledor rising to start his speech.

            "Welcome all students to this year's Yule Ball. This has been a wonderful year so far so let's try to keep it going as well. All decorating and organization of this year's Ball is thanks to our Head Boy and Head Girl: Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger." He turned towards them and started an applause that continued throughout the hall until everyone was standing and clapping for them.

            Draco rose and bowed his head graciously in recognition before motioning to Hermione.

            She also rose, her face red.

            "Now, let the feast begin," Professor Dumbledor, said, spreading his hands as food blossomed on the tables.

After the food was finished, everyone moved away from the tables and with a flick of Dumbledor's wand, the tables floated back against the walls. A band came onto the stage and started to tune their instruments.

"Would the head boy and girl come out to have the first dance, please?"

Draco rose and held out his hand to Hermione. "Shall we?"

She nodded graciously, taking his hand and standing up to follow him.

They went to the middle of the room and came together. His left hand rested on her lower back, his right taking her left as her right hand settled on his shoulder, lightly as a bird. He breathed in the scent of her perfume and held her close. They danced for a few minutes before he could bring himself to say it.

"I'm sorry."

She lifted his head from his shoulder. "Pardon me?"

"I'm sorry," he repeated gruffly.

"For what?"

"For everything and anything I did that hurt you."

She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling. "Say it again," she said wickedly.

He looked down at her, his eyes narrowed. "You enjoy hearing me apologize."

She nodded. "Of course."

He smirked. "Does this mean we're alright then?" His left hand started to move slowly southward.

She tried to let go of his right hand to grab his left but he gripped it tightly, and pulled her forward until their lower bodies were pressed tightly against each other.

Her eyes widened and he smirked, leaning forward to whisper in her ear, "I'm sorry."

She gulped. "Well, good. But don't think you're going to get off easily as that-" His teeth latched onto her earlobe. She thanked god that she had chosen to go for dim lighting for the dance floor. "Draco, everyone will see…"

He glanced around, realizing everyone had joined them on the dance floor. "Meet me in the main hallway, by the statue of Ogarth the Ogre Killer. I'm going to go tell Dumbledor that we're having a meeting."

She shook her head. "I'll go tell Dumbledor we're having a meeting." She pushed him gently towards the doors.

He pulled her towards him, kissing her roughly, then turned and strode from the room.

She walked up to the main table where Dumbledor was asked Professor McGonagall to dance. "Sir, Draco and I are having a meeting about cleaning up after the ball, if it's alright with you?"

He nodded. "Do you require a quiet place in which to do so?"

She shook her head. "No, we'll just find an empty classroom. But thanks anyway."

He bowed his head as he and McGonagall started for the dance floor.

She couldn't see him as she started off down the hallway towards the statue. "Draco?" she called as she neared. She was almost there when a hand latched onto hers and she was pulled into a classroom. "Dra-"

He covered her mouth with his as he lifted her and deposited her onto a desk. She realized that she wanted this as much as he did. Their mouths were all over each other, covering every piece of bared flesh with kisses. She pulled away and slid his robes off over his shoulders, followed by his shirt, exposing his chest. His stomach was tight and compressed, toned and defined, his pecks hard as rocks. His arms were trim, but well muscled. Hermione pulled him closer to her, opening her legs wider to bring even closer as he flipped her dress robes off. His dress pants were very low, hanging on his hipbones, and she quickly unbuttoned them as he lifted her a bit to pull the rest of her clothing off. And then he was inside of her, slowly at first but gaining speed and strength as she coaxed him, whispering in his ear. The desk moved a few inches loudly, but they were too caught up in the moment to care. She tried to hold her moans back, biting into the flesh of his shoulder to muffle her cries as they finally came together. They clung to each other, breathing heavily.

"I love you so much," he finally whispered.

She closed her eyes as tears escaped, sliding down her cheeks. He felt them on his bare shoulder and held her away from him to look into her eyes.

"Hey, what's wrong now?" he asked softly.

"You love me."

He smiled. "Yes, I do." And he kissed her tears away.

¤                      ¤                      ¤

Okay, let me know if this should be the end or not… I think it is… the poetry comes from the awesome Robert Frost – a combination of two poems: Fire and Ice, and The Hill Wife – Loneliness (her word) Let me know what you think! Ciao! : )