Chapter Thirty:

(A/N. Here's a nice long chappie I wrote while I was at sea out in my balcony on the Norwegian Sun, the cruise I went on. Heehee. I like this chapter! It's angsty and fun and full of Ron bashing. I'll try to reduce the fluffiness in my stories unless people vote otherwise. (PLEASE don't tell me to stop the fluff!) Okay enjoy this chapter! If you guys have any questions email me. Sorry for the typos, to prevent these I'm looking for a beta-reader. Any volunteers????? )

Hermione sighed loudly as she stared at her reflection as she brushed out her long, brown hair. She felt herself distancing from her two Gryffindor friends but she ignored it, blaming Ron for his stupid move on her birthday. He deserved it. She kept telling herself, but the sad and hurt looks her two friends shot at her hurt more than she cared to admit. She could tell Draco had noticed and wanted to comfort her or do something to make her pain go away, but what could he do? No, this was something she would have to resolve on her own. She had debated telling Ron and Harry about Draco, but she knew they wouldn't understand. They would think it was a dumb crush. It was better this way. Mid November, Hermione went to bed and found a small box on her bed. Inside was a beautiful silver rose. A card was below it.

Dear Hermione Granger

I, Draco Malfoy, cordially invite you to join me on Friday, December 24th at 8:00 for the Winter Ball.

Love, Draco Malfoy   

She grinned. Every since they had begun to plan the dance she had waited anxiously for Draco to ask her. She'd begun to think that he wouldn't because he thought it was too risky to go together but he had. She flopped onto her bed and did something she had never done before. She squealed in delight. She grinned up at her red canopy. She wondered what she would wear.

"Oh well, guess this means I'm going shopping." She muttered thankful that this weekend happened to be a Hogsmead weekend. On Saturday morning Hermione met up with Ginny who was also going to buy a dress and they walked through the beautiful boutiques. At one point Ron caught up with them.

"Hey." He said. Ginny glanced between them then grinned slyly. Hermione shook her head but Ginny ignored her.

"Well, I'll just be over there." Ginny said and walked away, leaving the two seventh years behind. Hermione groaned inwardly.

"Look Hermione, I know you rejected me before but I know you were just surprised." Ron said.

"What are you talking about, Ron?" She demanded. He blushed and looked around furtively.

"Ginny told me how you liked me, Hermione." He said. Hermione made a mental note to kill the sixth year later. "Look, how about we go to the Winter Ball together and I promise I'll forget about how you slapped me." Ron said. Hermione stared at him, was he really this dense?

"No, Ron." She said slowly. He glared at her and she tried to turn away but he stepped in front of her.

"Stop trying to play hard-to-get! Ginny told me that was what you were doing!" Ron said. "Let's just be truthful with each other! I know you like me!"

"You know nothing Ron!"

"Fine! What else are you going to do? Spend the Winter Ball with your books?" He cried. Hermione's fists clenched.

"For your information, I have a date!" She snapped. Ron looked startled and his eyes widened then he smiled slowly.

"Oh, were you planning on asking Neville to make me pay for not asking you before?" Ron said wisely. Hermione could have strangled him. "Because he's going home for the holidays."

"Uh! No! You know what Ron? Do me a bloody favor and bugger off! The world doesn't revolve around you, okay? I have a date whom I actually care about!" She growled and stormed away. She found Ginny and dragged her away. After a while her anger left her strides and they slowed down.

"What happened?" Ginny asked. Hermione shook her head and led her friend into another small shop.

"Nothing." They walked through the aisles and an excited squeal drew Hermione to Ginny. She had found a red, Italian Renaissance dress, with a v-neck and high waistline. It looked beautiful on her. She paid for it and Hermione raised an eyebrow at the money. Ginny shrugged it off and they continued walking. Hermione found her dress much later. She took one look at it and knew it was perfect. She paid for the gown and waited as they wrapped it and put it in a bag. It was dark so they went into the Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer. They sat in an isolated booth near the back.

"So what happened back there?" Ginny asked. Hermione's eyes narrowed and she shrugged. "Why are you so mad at my brother?" She asked.

"Because! He thinks he's the center of the universe! I turned him down and he makes up some lame excuse about me trying to be 'hard-to-get'. Like I'm some tart who does that to her best friend! Uh! I mean isn't a slap in the face refusal enough?" Hermione said angrily.

"But…I thought you liked him!" Ginny sputtered. Hermione smiled at the memory of when she'd confided that little secret to Ginny two years ago.

"Not anymore. I waited a long time for him and he never noticed me. He just took too long, now someone else has swept me off my feet." Hermione said softly. A sharp bell declared it time to go and Hermione walked away before her shocked friend could say anything. Saved by the bell, she thought slyly.