Disclaimer: I don't own them, I don't even know why I bother with these, because everyone with a brain knows that they belong to J. K. Rowling and all the people who have copyrights for them, k?
Chapter 13
The Halloween Ball Preliminaries
The next few weeks flew by, till it was only the Sunday before Halloween, which fell on a Saturday that year. Hermione and Draco had been meeting covertly at various locations around the school, but most of their contact was through letters, carried by Draco's black owl, Deimos. They wanted to mind speak, but most of their time was spent in classes or with friends, especially for Hermione since Harry and Ron didn't' seem to want to let her out of their sight again after her many misadventures. After the disapparating incident in McGonagall's class, all those who had witnessed it were give memory charms, since there was no explanation for their disappearance. The topic of their most recent letters was the ball. They of course wanted to go with each other, but they just couldn't for obvious reasons. However, that problem would soon be solved at dinner that evening. While everyone was finishing up dinner, Professor Dumbledore made an announcement.
"As you all know, the Halloween ball is coming up, and I'm sure you are all excited about it, but there will be a change this year." He started, and many students paid close attention to what he was saying, for whenever Professor Dumbledore changes something, it's usually very extreme.
"This year instead of choosing a date, one will be picked for you by the sorting hat. It will be based on nothing except for previous attraction." At this remark he sent a furtive glance towards Draco, and then Hermione. "However, in most cases, the majority are random matching of people, who may be from your same house, but most likely will not. You have to go to the dance with this person, and you may not switch dates at any time. You also must dance with you partner for at least five dances. The pairing will begin now, if everyone has finished of course? When the hat calls out you and your partner's name, I ask that you get together immediately to discuss where you will meet, if you want to dress so you coordinate, and the like." he finished, placing the sorting hat on the table in front of him.
Everyone just sat sort of numbly. They were shocked, and a little annoyed, but they knew they couldn't do a thing about it. The hat after a few moments opened it's mouth and started yelling out names.
"Neville Longbottom and Hannah Abbot."
"Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle, by yourselves, not enough girls to match up with everyone, sorry," the hat said, not really sounding sorry, before continuing.
"Harry Potter and Virginia Weasley." At this Ginny blushed brightly, but she was smiling, since it was common knowledge that the two liked each other.
"Ernie MacMillian and Lavender Brown."
"Ronald Weasley and Aud-." The hat started to say.
"I swear to god you filthy hat, if you say my full name I will come over there, tear you up, and throw you in the fire!" yelled A. J. menacingly at the hat.
"Fine! No need to get so violent! Ronald Weasley and A. J. Edwards."
The hat continued on, naming dozens and dozens of couples. Some people yelled in joy, some groaned, while others laughed at the pairings. Finally, there was only one couple left.
"Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy. There, I'm finished! Have fun at the ball!" the hat said before being taken away.
At the last couple, everyone had mixed reactions. Some were staring incredulously at the two who were making their way towards each other to "plan" out what they were going to do. Some burst out laughing at the Slytherin and Gryffindor pairing. This was definitely not one of the couples paired based on previous attraction. And some people, well, actually just Pansy, were crying over not being able to go with 'Drakie dearest' to the ball. She had been paired with a Hufflepuff named Thomas Craven.
Hermione and Draco simply glared at each other in hatred, all the while grinning inside.
"Thank you Professor Dumbledore," they both mind spoke happily to him.
"You're welcome everyone. Now, go with your date. I'm sure you all have many things to discuss. And by the way, the dance is this Saturday at 8 o'clock and lasts till midnight. I can't wait to see all of you there! Also, this year we will do secret wizards and witches. Everyone will be sent a name of someone to purchase a gift for. Similar to that tradition done at Christmas, the secret Santas. Now, enjoy the rest of your evening!" and with a wave of his hand he dismissed them all.
Many couples didn't bother to leave the great hall. They quickly agreed on a meeting place for the dance and left. Draco and Hermione did the same, keeping up pretenses of hating each other. However, they both retired to their beds extremely early and talked for hours by mind speech, something they didn't often get to do as already mentioned.
"So, do we want to go as a couple for the dance?" asked Draco as the topic of conversation switched to the upcoming ball.
"I don't know, I think it'd be fun, I have a great dress, and no I'm not going to tell you what it looks like," she said, answering his unspoken question.
"Fine, be that way," he said pouting.
"I will!" she smirked.
"Okay, back to the couple thing, who should we go as?"
"I've got it! " she exclaimed loudly, causing Draco to wince.
"I'm glad you've got it, but not so loudly Granger, please!"
"Sorry! We can go as the Emperor and Empress of the angels! We can easily transfigure wings and crowns, and my dress will go perfectly! So what do you think?"
"Sounds perfect, whatever makes you happy," he said smiling.
"Are you smiling?" she asked, feeling him grin.
"No of course not, Malfoy's don't smile, we smirk." He said, quickly straightening his face.
"Whatever you say Malfoy," Hermione said laughing.
"All right, my room mates are coming in, so good night Faith, sweet dreams."
"Good night Hope, sleep tight." She replied, in what had become their routine at night. They would always say this to remind themselves of Merleana saving Hermione's life.
And with that, they both closed their eyes and drifted off to sleep, dreaming of days to come.
* * * * *
The next morning at breakfast, there was a feeling of excitement in the air because the names were going to be assigned soon. All of a sudden, there was a flurry of wings beating and owls hooting as they flew in and dropped letters into student's laps. Everyone tore theirs open excitedly, wanting to see who they got.
"You will give your witch or wizard one gift today, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. One is not needed since Saturday is the dance, and you will reveal yourself to your secret wizard sometime during the dance." Professor Dumbledore announced when everyone calmed down. "They do not need to be expensive gifts. Something simple will suffice. Just have fun and be creative."
The clock rang 8: 30, signaling the start of classes in a half hour. Hermione had the perfect ideas for what to give her secret wizard during the week. It seems that most people did too, as they were all dashing off to also start working on gifts. Hermione quickly went to her room and began working on sewing something. She couldn't wait for dinner, which was the gift-giving time Dumbledore had set. This was going to be a great Halloween, she could feel it.
Or maybe it was just being able to go to the ball with the one she cared about.
A/N: Okay, another chapter done, yea!!!! I'm soooo sorry it took this long, but I'm in school, and we all know how busy it can get. I was swamped with work, but I tried to finish this quickly. The gifts will be in the next chapter, and the ball too. It's going to be a longer chapter for me, so it may take me longer to write. I just wanted to let you all know that I may not have it up for probably two weeks or so, maybe less.
