A/n: Wow I haven't updated for quite a while! I've been kind of busy lately so I'll try my best to make this a good chap! Thank you's at the bottom! Oh I changed my Author name by the way.

Disclaimer: Yeah yeah we all know I own Harry Potter…NOT

Chapter seven

The next morning, Hermione went to breakfast as usual. Ron, however, was looking at her strangely but she decided to ignore him. After that, she went to her classes and her whole routine went fine as usual. She tried to catch Draco's eye once or twice in Potions class but he seemed jumpy and he avoided her.

That night, she decided to have a talk with Draco. They were going to patrol together near the entrance doors and she thought it would be a perfect place to have a chat.

"Erm, Hermione, who exactly are you patrolling with tonight?" Ron asked her.

"Dra – Malfoy." She answered. Ron frowned. "Please Ron, you know he's head boy and all…"

Ron shrugged his shoulders and walked away.

"Good bye to you too." Hermione called after him sarcastically. She walked to the entrance doors and was disappointed to find out that Draco wasn't there yet. She sighed and began to walk around. What's taking him so long? She wondered.

About 30 minutes later, Draco came, panting and sweating.

"What took you so long to get here, Malfoy?" Hermione demanded. "You should've been here 30 minutes ago!"

"I – I caught some students doing some funny business on my way." Draco said between breaths. "S – sorry."

Hermione was still frowning at him. "Why didn't you show up yesterday?"

"Shh!" Draco hushed. He carefully looked around to make sure nobody was around. "I'm so absolutely sorry about that, hon. I couldn't leave Crabbe and Goyle. They wouldn't stop pestering me."

"Why were you avoiding me today?" Hermione asked again.

"Was I?" Draco asked, looking innocent. "I'm sorry if I was, babe. It'll never happen again."

Hermione stared back at him, wondering if she should believe him or not. But his eyes…his magical, mystifying eyes, seemed to trance her. Finally, she smiled and said, "Alright. Sorry for going all crazy on you."

Draco smiled and hugged her. "I'll never, ever try to hurt you Hermione. In any way." Hermione looked at him and they shared a long, sweet kiss. Then, they spent the rest of the night together, strolling in the hallways to make it seem like they were doing their duty.

~ * ~ * ~ *

Soon, Christmas was coming up. Malfoy and Hermione decided to have a Christmas ball.

"This won't be just any ordinary ball." Hermione told them. "You must dress up as something from a Christmas song. For example, if you pick 'Jingle Bells' as your song, then you should either wear a bell, or something that will represent that song."

There was a loud chatter of excitement among the students. Hermione looked pleased because the students liked her idea.

"The ball will be two weeks from now, at 7:00 PM. Celestina Warbeck and the Weird Sisters are coming and also the new singer, Starlight." Hermione added.

"Also, the ball is only for 3rd years and up." Draco said. There was a loud groan from the 1st years and 2nd years. "Professor Mcgonagall insisted it. If you're in 1st or 2nd year and a 3rd year and up asks you, then you can go." There was a sigh of relief from everyone. "That is all."

"I believe this Christmas ball will be a huge success, Ms. Granger and Mr. Malfoy." Professor Dumbledore beamed at them. Hermione blushed. Then she sat back down with the rest of the Gryffindors.

~ * ~ * ~ *

Ron and Harry went upstairs to the common room. Hermione didn't have to patrol today but she felt tired and she said she wanted to rest.

"So, are you gonna ask her out?" Harry asked casually.

"Who? Where?" Ron asked.

"You know who I'm talking about." Harry snorted.

"I don't know Harry! It's not easy for me to go up to a girl and say, 'I like you, wanna go to the ball with me?'" Ron sighed. Then he grinned. "I bet you're going with my sister huh."

Harry's ears suddenly turned red. "Yeah. But that's not the point!"

"Don't you EVER do anything to her when you think I'm not watching Harry." Ron warned him. "Because I know everything."
Harry laughed and thought, oh no you don't. "Well are you gonna ask Herm to the ball?"

Ron didn't answer and they reached the common room. As Ron and Harry entered the room, they saw Ginny sitting with Dean Thomas on the couch, laughing and talking. Harry suddenly turned red. He marched up to them with a frown.

"Ginny, what the hell are you doing?" Harry demanded.

"Talking to Dean. What do you think?" Ginny spat. She was turning red too. "Can't I talk to my friends?"

Harry suddenly loosened up. "Sorry Gin, I shouldn't have gone out of control like that."

Ginny smiled and nodded. "It's ok. I won't lie that I get jealous when you talk to other girls too." Then, Harry leaned forward and they shared a long kiss. There was a loud whistle and cheers and teases from the Gryffindors who saw.

"Get a room!" Someone teased.

Ron smiled and went to his dorm, thinking, why can't Hermione and I have what they have?

~ * ~ * ~ *

That night, Hermione and Draco were once again, in the empty classroom. They were lying beside each other and were gazing at each other's eyes.

"So, are we finally going to show the public how much we care for each other?" Hermione asked. "I know blokes usually ask the girls, but…" She held Draco's face closer to hers. "Do you wanna go to the Christmas ball with me?"

Draco looked a little surprised. "Well, listen, Herm…" Hermione took her hands of Draco and turned around. She felt extremely angry.

"If you don't wanna go, then don't." Hermione spat.

"No, you don't understand." Draco pleaded. "I do wanna go with you. But, I just don't think it's a good time to show everyone about our little secret yet." He put his arm around Hermione's waist. "You know how Potty and especially that red head, react when they see me."

Hermione answered, "I don't care about them! And if you really loved me, then you wouldn't care either."

Draco was taken aback. That was true. Hermione had a good point. "I'm sorry Hermione. But I just don't think it's a good idea. I hope you understand. I have a reputation to uphold. Besides, I'll see you after the ball and we can do whatever we want." He nibbled against her ear.

Hermione turned around and they kissed. "I understand, Draco. I love you too much do be angry at you for long." Hermione smiled. Little did she know that she'll regret those words in the future…

A/n: Well I hope you guys liked that chapter. Don't worry it's STILL R/H so please don't get mad at me!

Thank you to:

HermioneG15 - I know it's weird. It's not just wrong, but it's weird! But I had to put it there to make it more interesting.

Arynnl – Yes…poor Ron indeed.

RonsInnerVoice – I'm so happy you still read my stories!