Chapter Thirty-One:

(A/N. Hey everyone. Look, everyone that has reviewed has been pro-fluff therefore; I will keep it that way. I know it's kind of sappy but that's the way people seem to like it. So for the few people who voted it out, I'm sorry. But if you don't like that I made Draco this nice guy and Ron the annoying jerk, and made this story oh so fluffy, find another story to read. However, for those wonderful people who encouraged the fluff here is the much awaited WINTER BALL!!!! By the way thanks so much to my beta-reader Ravyn Nyte!! I love you!)

On the day of the dance Draco quickly got ready and went to wait for Hermione outside the portrait of the fat lady. Many Gryffindors came out but none recognized him. Fifteen minutes to 8:00 the portrait swung open and Hermione stepped out gracefully. Draco's breath caught. She was dressed in a beautiful chiffon dress of a light, baby blue. It had a V-shaped waistline and a flaring skirt. It had a low décolletage that revealed plenty of neck and bosom. The shimmering white sleeves that flared down were decorated with glittering blue and clear crystals. The stitches on the dress were all in silver thread and a silver cord outlined the cuffs, the waistline, and the neckline. Hermione's gorgeous brown hair fell in a gentle cascade of tumbling curls down her slim back, shining crystals stuck here and there. A mask of long, white feathers covered the upper half of her face. Small glass slippers covered her delicate feet. She looked stunning.

"You look amazing." He said softly. He could see her blush despite the glittering white mask.

"Thank you." She mumbled her eyes resting on the floor. They rose slowly and she surveyed him with wide eyes. "You look so handsome." She whispered coming closer. He smiled; he's done his best to impress her. He wore black breeches, black-leather riding boots, an ebony shirt and a silver tunic on top. A black belt hung loosely at his wait, a silver sword in its scabbard. A black mask covered his eyes and forehead and a silver circlet rested on his head.

"Are you ready to go?" He asked softly. When she nodded, he took her arm and led her away. They reached the Great Hall and stepped inside. It looked amazing. The floor was bewitched to look like frozen ice, but it was not as slippery. The tables on the sides all had white table clothes embroidered with blue and silver snowflakes. A gentle, glittering snow fell from the sky and instantly disappeared as soon as it touched the ground. Icicles hung from almost all the surfaces. The small Christmas trees were adorned in white, silver and blue ornaments and they stood in all four corners of the hall. The prefects had done a wonderful job. Draco led Hermione to a table and the sat down. A tall brunet accompanied by a short red-head joined them at the table. Draco recognized the girl as the youngest Weasley by her flaming red hair and the freckles on her rosy skin. The hall began to fill with people and Draco spotted Pansy, wearing a frilly pink dress that suited her badly, on the other side of the room. Disgusted, he turned away. A soft floating music started and Draco spotted a harpist and a violinist sitting in one of the corners. He smiled and took Hermione's slender hand.

"May I have this dance, milady?" He asked quietly. Her warm brown eyes twinkled behind her mask.

"Of course, milord." She smiled. He led her to the middle of the dance floor. The musicians saw this and a soft waltz filled the air. Draco took Hermione and they floated around the room. All eyes were on the mysterious couple. Mist swirled around their feet. Draco pulled Hermione closer and leaned close to her.

"I love you." She breathed. He sighed happily and squeezed her hand. Pain flashed through him as he thought of his father. He forced the pain away.

"I love you too." He whispered hoarsely. Soon the other couples began to join them on the floor and Draco relaxed into the music. After a while, Dumbledore stood up and the music slowly ended. Draco escorted Hermione back to their seats. The dark haired boy and the Weasley girl were already there and the boy's green eyes met Draco silver gaze. The boy glanced away first. Draco hid a smirk, so Harry had taken the little Weasley to the Ball. He wondered if Weasley-the-second-youngest knew.

"Welcome everyone to our annual 'Theme Ball'. Please allow me to thank the four prefects for their fierce participation and the Heads for their outstanding management of this special night." Dumbledore said. There was a loud applause and Hermione squeezed Draco's hand with a grin. "Well, I won't keep you from you food any longer. Let the feast begin!" He said and with a clap of his hands the silver plates became laden with food. Draco picked up his silverware and began the meal with a short, sidelong look at Hermione. She truly did look beautiful, no one in the room could match her looks. She was like a radiant goddess. His radiant goddess, he thought with a smile.

Hermione glanced at Draco out of the corner of her eye. She couldn't get over how handsome he looked. She was well aware that it was Harry and Ginny sitting across from them. She also knew Harry had no idea who they were and Ginny only recognized Hermione because she had seen Hermione buy the dress.

"Aren't the decorations beautiful?" Ginny asked them. Draco and Hermione exchanged a silent laugh.

"Yeah, the prefects must have really worked hard." Draco said. Hermione almost started at his voice. Instead of the usual drawling sneer he talked with he had spoken in the smooth, cultured tone he used only with her. Ginny leaned over to whisper something in Harry's ear and Hermione hid a smile with her hand.

"They're so cute together." She whispered to Draco. He lifted a pale eyebrow and she giggled. After a while the meal ended and Draco took her out onto the iced dance floor. They danced together for a long time. Ten minutes before midnight and the scheduled demasking, Draco and Hermione slipped out of the Great Hall. In the Entry Hall, Draco pulled Hermione into a deep kiss and she shivered in delight. He pulled away and smiled at her.

"Good night, my fair princess." He whispered. She smiled and touched his chiseled chin with a delicate finger.

"Good night, my brave prince." She murmured. He shook his head and she was surprised by the anguish she saw in his eyes.

"I'm no brave prince. I'm a coward." He muttered his silver eyes looked past at her onto some horror unknown to her. "I don't deserve to be with you." He whispered and she saw tears in his eyes. She frowned and forced his gaze to meet hers.

"Draco. Listen to me! Don't waste your time with hate and regret. If you don't keep your heart open you'll be a broken, icy statue. Not a real person. I suffer the same doubts as you do! I see prettier girls each day and I think what if he wakes up one morning and asks himself what he's doing with an ugly bookworm like me? Draco, if I lose you my heart will be broken because I love you. Let all the hurt inside of you die. Let it melt away. We are who we choose to be. You have to believe in yourself! If not for you than for me." She said. He sighed and she pulled him into a tight hug. "I love you! I'll always be here for you! Tell me what's wrong!" She whispered fiercely. He sighed again and gently pushed her away.

"I can't Hermione. If I tell you you'll get hurt and I…I couldn't deal with you being gone…" He said softly. He smiled at her. "Good night, Hermione." He said and walked away. She stared after him for a long time. As she heard the clamor of students moving from inside the Great Hall she ran. A small voice kept repeating the same thought over in her head. Why had that last goodnight sounded so much like a goodbye?