A/N Thanks for not murdering me. IÕve been having fun reading everyone elseÕs fics and of course IÕve been sidetracked by (gasp) real life.

Later, Dumbledore would say that the events surrounding the Yule Ball were like a French farce Ð at which point Professor Snape would usually snort. At any rate, the morning of the ball, Hermione still hadnÕt told her best friends about her date with Draco.

ÒHarry, I have something to tell you.Ó Hermione mumbled.

Harry looked up from his Firebolt. ÒYeah.Ó

ÒStop polishing that stupid broom Ð this is important.Ó

ÒYouÕre grouchy all of a sudden. Look, I told you there was no need to start that History of Magic essay yet.Ó

ÒOh that. I finished that a week ago. Harry, why havenÕt you finished it?Ó

ÒWhat did you want to tell me?Ó Harry said eager to get away from talk of homework.

ÒIÕm going to the ball with Draco Malfoy.Ó

ÒHermione, you donÕt have to say that to get my attention. I told you I was listening.Ó

ÒIÕm not joking, Harry. IÕm going to the ball withÓ

Òwith Malfoy Ð I heard you the first time. Why?Ó

ÒAre you really going to make me say it?Ó Hermione asked, hoping Harry would be less dense than usual.

ÒWould it be too much to hope that youÕre under some kind of spell?Ó

ÒIÕm sorry. I just thougtht yiu ought to know before the ball.Ó

ÒAre you going to tell Ron, or are you going to let the shock kill him?Ó

Hermione sank down in a chair next to Harry. ÒHow? I mean youÕre being an awfully good sport, but Ron will never understand.Ó

ÒJust tell him, quickly.Ó

ÒWell where is he?Ó

ÒI donÕt know. HeÕs been awfully preoccupied lately. Always has some parchment in his hand.Ó

ÒDo you think heÕs working on some extra credit?Ó Hermione asked hopefully. She was always reminding Ron that extra credit could be useful.

ÒHermione, I know youÕre going to the ball as MalfoyÕs date but hell hasnÕt quite frozen over yet.Ó

ÒYeah. Right. Ò Hermione stood up. ÒWell, thanks Harry.Ó

*****

Hermione searched for Ron for most of the morning, and then, gave up and decided to track down Draco.

He was out at the Quidditch pitch flying, sitting by one of the stands his broom lying next to him. He looked up as Hermione approached. For a moment he looked happy, then, his face closed, wiped of all expression.

ÒHi.Ó

Draco couldnÕt read much in that one short word. He wondered if this visit boded ill for their fragile relationship.

ÒI forgot to warn youÓ Draco said ÒI take forever to get ready. YouÕre a little early.Ó

ÒOh.Ó

What was with the girl? These one word syllables were freaking him out. ÒIÕm surprised to see you.Ó

ÒWhy??Ó

ÒNo you tell me why? YouÕre obviously dying to tell me something. IÕm telling you right now Ð IÕm not letting you break our date. I canÕt believe a Gryffandor would even try something like that but IÕm not going to let you.Ó

ÒI wasnÕt going to break it.Ó

Draco shut up. ÒOh.Ó

ÒI just needed to see you. I guess I needed to prove to myself that this is something good. Ò

ÒYouÕre not chickening out on me.Ó

ÒIÕm a Gryffandor remember. We donÕt chicken out.Ó

ÒCome here.Ó Draco pulled her down to his lap and wound his arms about her.

Hermione needed no more urging. She bent her head and kissed Draco passionately.

ÒI never knew what I was missing.Ó Hermione sighed when they finally broke apart.

ÒHow could Weasley give you up?Ó was DracoÕs comment, murmured as he twined one springy brown lock about his finger.

ÒOh Ron. I told Harry, but I havenÕt told Ron yet. I have to tell him before the ball, Draco.Ó

ÒIf you must. ThereÕs no reason you have to tell him now, is there?Ó Draco asked.

ÒMeaning canÕt I stay here and snog you a bit more?Ó

ÒOr stay here and do a bit more than snog?Ó Draco quipped.

ÒAnd here I thought youÕd at least wait until this evening before trying anything.Ó

ÒWell if IÕm being reformed, so to speak, being brought back to the light, I donÕt have anything to hide.Ó

Hermione sighed. ÒI know thatÕs not true, but it sounds good.Ó

ÒIÕm not the only one whoÕs full of shit. You wouldnÕt be here if I was an open aboveÑboard type.Ó

ÒDraco. I like solving mysteries, and uncovering secrets, but donÕt make anything more complicated just for my sake.Ó Hermione said seriously.

*****

Complicated was what Ginny was dealing with and although she knew Harry was worth it, she wished he would notice her of his own accord. Ginny cringed with embarrassment and shame whenever she thought of her first year at Hogwarts, unwitting minion of Tom. Still, Harry had rescued her. He was the knight with Godric GryffandorÕs sword who had saved her. What could be more romantic than having the boy she adored save her from certain doom!

Of course Harry was always saving someone. Ron, Hermione, Gabrielle Delacour. It was part of what made him a hero. It was why everyone liked him.

It wasnÕt fair! Why did Harry have to be famous? He didnÕt like the notoriety. And because he was famous, everyone thought her crush was for some hero fa