Chapter Fourteen:

(A/N. Hello! Guess what? I missed a whole week of school because of a huge snowstorm! But now I'm back in school…oh well…c'est la vie. I can't wait till Spring Break cuz then it's my birthday! March 26th! Heehee! I'm so sorry that I haven't updated! My computer broke! It sucked. But finally it is fixed and ready to post! Okay, on to the much awaited for dance chapter! And guess what? I feel a kiss coming on! Heehee! Read on and don't forget to REVIEW!)

Hermione walked into the room and felt Draco's eyes travel from her dress, to her necklace, to her earrings, to her hair and finally to her face. She blushed and looked down at the floor. She glanced up at him through her lashed as he pulled a wisp of her hair back into place. He looked so sexy. The tailored pants and white silk shirt accented his perfectly muscular body. He shrugged into his black jacket. The black of the suit a sharp contrast to his platinum hair and his moon-bright skin. His silver eyes matched the tie perfectly.

"You look beautiful." He said softly. She flushed and looked down at the white tiled floor again. She slowly raised her eyes to meet his.

"Thank you. You look very handsome as well." She said just as softly. He smiled and took her hand in his. She laughed and squeezed his strong hand with her dainty one. They walked out and down to the Mess Hall. It was adorned with flashing Christmas lights of all colors and rainbow streamers. A sole disco ball hung in the center of the room.

"Would you like to dance?" Draco whispered into her ear. She smiled and nodded. They walked onto the dance floor and a fast song came on.

It seemed to be like the perfect thing for you and me
It's so ironic you're what I had pictured you to be

 Hermione recognized it. Draco cocked his head to the side as they danced. She saw that he was listening to the lyrics.

But there are facts in our lives we can never change
Just tell me that you understand and you feel the same

This perfect romance that I've created in my mind
I'd live a thousand live each one with you right by my side
But yet we find ourselves in a less than perfect circumstance
And so it seems like we'll never get the chance

His eyes met hers and she could see a swirl of emotions in them that she could never hope to understand. She knew what he was thinking, though, because she was thinking it too.

Ain't it funny how some feelings you just can't deny
And you can't move on even though you try
Ain't it strange when your feeling things you shouldn't feel
Oh, I wish this could be real
Ain't it funny how a moment could just change your life
And you don't want to face what's wrong or right
Ain't if strange how fate can play a part
In the story of your heart

Yes, Hermione could no longer deny that she was attracted to Draco. Not just because of his looks like most girls were but also by his intelligence and the goodness she thought she had seen in him.

Sometimes I think that a true love can never be
I just believe that somehow it wasn't meant for me
Life can be cruel in a way that I can't explain
And I don't think that I could face it all again

Draco stared at Hermione. Yes he couldn't deny he had feelings for her. The world would never accept them though. The world was cruel to make him have these feelings and not be able to act on them.

I barely know you but somehow I know what you're all about
A deeper love I've found in you and I no longer doubt
You've touched my heart and it altered ever plan I've made
And now I feel that I don't have to be afraid

He thought of his father and he knew that if she stayed in his heart he could face the world, no matter what it threw at them. He just had to learn to be able to ask for help, something he didn't know if he could do.

I locked away my heart but you just set it free
Emotions I felt held me back from what my life should be
I pushed you far away and yet you stayed with me
I guess this means that you and me were meant to be

Yes he had pushed her far away. Insulting her ever since they were small. Yet she had forgiven him and showed him there was life past his malice and his cutting insults based on prejudices.

Ain't it funny how some feelings you just can't deny
And you can't move on even though you try
Ain't it strange when your feeling things you shouldn't feel
Oh, I wish this could be real
Ain't it funny how a moment could just change your life
And you don't want to face what's wrong or right
Ain't if strange how fate can play a part
In the story of your heart

The song ended and another one started up. After a long while of dancing they went to go get some drinks at the refreshments table. Hermione sipped her punch slowly, fanning herself with her free hand.

"Let's go outside." Draco murmured in her ear, sending pleasant shivers down her spine. He laughed softly and took her hand. He led her to the garden outside. They walked through the gardens for a while before sitting down on a stone bench near a small fountain.

"So how are we getting to your home tomorrow?" Hermione asked. Draco turned away from her and stared at the fountain.

"I don't know. My dad once told me there was an invisible train that went from America to England. Or maybe the plane again. Maybe even Floo powder." Draco shrugged and ran an elegant hand through his snowy white hair.

"You know, you never got to finish your dare." Hermione said silkily. Draco glanced at her sharply and his face melted into a sly grin.

"And I'm glad I didn't. I wouldn't have wanted you to kiss me just because I dared you too." He said huskily as he pulled her closer to him.

"I doubt that was your dare, I think you're too chicken to ask that in public." She whispered. He chuckled softly. Their faces were so close she could feel his warm breath on her face.

"Maybe you're right." He murmured his lips almost brushing hers. "Do you care that I changed it?"

"Not at all." She mumbled with a small smile. Draco closed the remaining space between them and gently pressed his lips to hers.

Their lips met softly and Hermione sighed softly as his silkily lips caressed hers. It was a sweet, light kiss. Filled with tenderness she hadn't expected from him. Then again she had learned that he was full of surprises. He pulled away and Hermione stared into his eyes. Funny, they looked blue now.

"Hermione, I…"