~Disclaimer~ Everything Harry Potter related belongs to the greatest author of all times, J.K. Rowling. Although, throughout the story, there will be certain people who I made up… Hehehehehe! LOL. Enjoy

~Authoress' Notes~ Well, I hope you enjoy, here's chapter 3!

CHAPTER 3: [Insert Title of Choice Here]

       The next morning, Hermione awoke with a start. She stared groggily at her alarm clock, and seeing that it was only 6, shut her eyes again. Suddenly, the events of the day before replayed in her mind. She smiled, but it soon faded, for she also remembered the note. She plucked it out from her top dresser drawer and re-read it.

        The same words from the day before glared up at her, in jet-black ink. She bit her lip, wondering whether she should meet the stranger or not. She groaned, then flopped back onto the bed, thinking the situation over. She decided that it couldn`t hurt just to meet whoever it was, and with that, fell asleep again.

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        That morning at breakfast, Harry was also thinking something over in his head; he was wondering whether he should ask Hermione to the ball or not. He decided he would do so that evening, right after dinner. He smiled, then continued eating his breakfast, stealing occasional glances at Hermione, while she, on the other hand, chatted happily away with Ginny.

         Right after breakfast, the Gryffindors had Double Potions with the Slytherins, so the three best friends walked down to the cold dungeons together. When they reached the classroom five minutes later, they found that although they were early, they were not alone. Draco Malfoy and his fellow Slytherins were huddled around in one corner, deep in discussion. When Hermione, Harry, and Ron took their seats, they looked up. Draco Malfoy smirked, then threw an extra wink Hermione`s way. Hermione, who was taken aback, blushed, and continued reading over her homework.

         "Hello, Potty, Weasel. Granger."

         "Malfoy."

         "Git."

    Hermione remained quiet during this "verbal" exchange, and continued looking over her homework. "Really, Granger, has it ever occurred to you to return a perfectly civil greeting?" Hermione looked up from her homework, and smirked at Draco. "No, not if it`s a greeting from you." Malfoy glared at her, but only slightly. He turned around and returned to talking with his fans.

    Hermione cast a glance at the group, noting that Draco was in the center of it all. She glared when she saw Pansy Parkinson, a pug-faced Slytherin girl, clinging onto Draco for dear life, but smiled slightly when she saw the look of pure hatred in Draco`s eyes.

     She quickly turned away, and continued with what she was doing. At last, fifteen minutes later, Professor Snape appeared, breathless, no doubt from having to run down to the dungeon classrooms. She smirked, then took out her textbook and set to work.

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        That evening after dinner, the Gryffindors trudged up to Gryffindor Tower, talking with great excitement about the day's events. When they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, they all muttered the password, entering in groups.

        As soon as they were in the common room, Harry, after making sure that no one was looking, pulled Hermione away into a corner. "Hermione, I—-" he began, but was cut off by a Lavender and Parvarti. "Come on, Hermione! We've got to show you something…," Lavender said excitedly, tugging at Hermione`s arm. Hermione looked at Harry apologetically. "Sorry Harry, I'll be just a moment!" And with that, Harry was left standing alone in the corner. Harry sighed, and then went to find Ron.

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        By the time Harry was able to talk to Hermione alone again, it was already a quarter to midnight. He sighed, then pulled Hermione over to the corner again. "Hermione, I`ve got to tell you something. I think I`m—-", he was interrupted again, this time by Hermione. She looked at her watch anxiously, then looked up at Harry. "I`m sorry Harry, I`ve got to go. I promised Hannah I would meet her. Sorry Harry…" Harry looked at her in disbelief. "B-But it`s midnight!" "Well, Hannah`s a night-person." "Oh, alright…" "I`m sorry, Harry.. When I get back we can talk, alright?" "Yeah, sure." "Bye!" "Bye…"

        Hermione rushed off, grabbing her cloak off the hook. She had to admit, although she usually didn`t care about these things, being a prefect had it`s advantages: after all, they were allowed out after hours. She quickly walked past the twists and turns, down the marble staircase, and made her way to the empty Charms classroom. She hesitated, then pushed the door open and found….

           "MALFOY?!"

           "Granger."

           "What are you doing here?"

            "For a little know-it-all, you're a bit dense, aren`t you?"

           "You mean…"

            "Yes, Granger. I wrote the note."

            "Oh. Well, what do you want then?"

             " I want to ask you to the dance, Hermione. I`m in love with you."

    All Hermione could do to keep from passing out right then and there was stare at Draco Malfoy. She would`ve never believed him, but there was something in his eyes that  told Hermione he wasn`t lying. She looked into his silver-gray eyes, studied his pale face…

            "You`re kidding."

            "Sorry, Granger. I`m not."

         Hermione could only gasp, and cautiously approached Draco. "B-But, why?" Draco sighed, then gave her his old smirk. "I don`t know why, either." Hermione crept closer and closer. "Are you going to keep that up all night, or answer my proposal?" Hermione blanched at the mention of a "proposal", causing Draco to chuckle. "To the ball, Granger." Hermione blushed slightly, then looked up at Draco. "Fine. Yes. I`ll go to the Christmas ball with you… Draco."

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