Oh, This is so exciting.  Okay not really I already no what happens ~ But you don't so it makes it somewhat fun

Disclaimer: The only thing I own in this chapter is the design of Hermione's dress (you'll see).  I drew it all by myself for a future prom dress except for the color.

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Falling Head Over Heels

The Story of Hermione Granger and

Her relationship with Draco Malfoy

By: Befuzzled

Chapter Eighteen ~ Concordia Ball

"Kiss me at midnight

Dance until the morning light

Party into the New Year

All of our friends are here

To make the party right,

So kiss me at midnight."

~*NSYNC

It was no shock to everyone that most of the female population of Hogwarts had disappeared behind the closed doors of their dorms by 2 o'clock on that Christmas afternoon.  Some had vanished as early as noon.  The feast was going to start at six in the mystery room.  It was going to be announced by the head of each house a quarter 'til the dinner bell rang.

Hermione and Hannah decided to get ready together and had laid claim on the Prefect common room.  The boys didn't mind much though-this made it easier for them to pick up their dates, instead of searching for their house common rooms or waiting like a pair of losers at the entrance of the room.

By five, they were already downed them downed in their gowns and dress robes (covered with bath robes to prevent them from soiling their outfits).  Hannah was placing the finishing touch to Hermione's pineapple up do – Draco's lavish tiara.  Hermione was debating with herself of whether to use muggle make-up or a beauty charm.  She decided to do a neutral charm, leaving room for her to add highlights.  Sparkling lips and shimmering eyes were the perfect touch.

The last steps of preparation were performed ten minutes before their dates got there.  The shoes were slide on and soon were cover by the skirts of the dresses.  They sat on the couch placidly talking until the boys arrived.

A hand covered their eyes as the boys were transported into the room.  The girls giggled, "We've been dressed for two hours now!"

"Oh!" the boys removed their hands but were instantly shocked into a state of illiterate mumbling.  The words were there in their mind but the words couldn't form from their lips for several minutes.  The incoherent words would all be correct (if you could make them out).

Hannah was wearing n eloquent set of glittery pink dress robes.  They flowed from an empire waist to a swirling skirt that barely skimmed the floor.  The flower pendant that hung from a sort chain around her neck accented the square neckline.  Trendles of hair framed her face and the rest was pulled into a bun.  A random placement of roses circumscribed the hair-do.  She was a princess, and eventually Terry got around to telling her.

The gold of Hermione's gown reflected and flickered in the light of the fire.  It was practically strapless except for one shoestring halter cord that held it in place.  The reverse side sunk down to her low back where it cross-weaved, tightening the dress around her waist.  The corset-looking top led into a bounty of fabric that swirled down a millimeter of the floor.  There was a small train that curved around to the front when she stood to look at Draco.  She could have been floating for all her escort knew.  His gifts matched perfectly, adding the right balance to the solid gold dress.  Silver glitter evenly blended through her skin and haired finished off the look.  She could have been called an angel, she could have been called…

"Hermione, you look like a goddess."

"Oh, thank you Draco, you're too kind," she said before she kissed the corner of his mouth.  He was wearing a close resemblance of a suit but he claimed they were found in a wizarding shop.  A gold and silver blended tie was a nice touch.  "You look like my Prince Charming."

They looked at Hannah and Terry who they supposed were having a similar conversation to theirs.  "Shall we go to the dance then?"

Some gentle nods and an "uh-huh" were muttered and the quartet set off.

"So, what did you end up doing with Lucy?"

"I'm not sure.  Last time I saw her, she was running around the Great Hall with who I thought was Crookshanks."

"Awe that's so cute."

"If you say so, babe."

"Hold on a second," Hannah interjected.  "Who's Lucy?"

"My Christmas present from Hermione."

"What is it?" questioned Terry.

"A kitten."

"So you're telling me, the big, bad, Slytherin, Draco Malfoy, has a kitten?"

"Yep."

"That's hilarious.  Wait till the rest of Ravenclaw finds out."

"Um Terry, where were you at lunch?  The rest of Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, and Slytherin already know.  Lucy followed Draco to lunch.  They just don't know it's from me."

"Well that ruins all my fun."

"Oh Terrance stop pouting."  Hannah's voice was sarcastically direct.  "Oh it's so beautiful."

"It's just how I envisioned it.  It's gorgeous."

Strings of shimmering gold and silver streamers hung from the doors.  And slim chains clung the to walls and encircled the centerpieces at the tables.  Another bewitched ceiling light the starry night shine through, and a scatter of beeswax candles added the extra lighting.  And the main theme colors all reflected perfectly of the rainbow of colors provided by the attending students

"Yes, it is," Draco, agreed, but it wasn't looking at the banquet room.

~*~

The random chatter in the labyrinth of a room dulled substantially as the pair of couples graced the entrance.  Dumbledore took advantage of the diminished noise to make his announcements for the evening.  The silver robes shimmered along with his enchanting eyes and matched nicely with his long silvery white beard.  "Now that we are all here, please have a seat, the food will appear shortly and then you all can eat."

Hermione almost blushed; they were late to the dance they had planned.  How embarrassing.

Tables began popping out of thin air, custom fitted for each group mingling around each other.  A table for four popped up in front of the prefects, but they ignored it choosing to go over to a table compiled of Ron, Paul, Harry, and Ginny.  Kevin Parrent was also there with his Ravenclaw date.  The round table expanded with the approaching guest in mind.

"Do you mind if we join you?"

"Of course not," they replied in unison.

"Hannah, Terry, Draco, this is Paul, Kevin and…"

"Melissa," Terry said.  "She's a Ravenclaw."

"Of course."

As they sat down, Ron and Paul threw hideous scowls and glares in Draco's direction.

The dinner went quietly and perfectly until Ginny mentioned the Winter court.  "I wonder who the winners will be?"

"Oh my goodness!"  Hermione shrieked, "I'll be back in a moment."

She dashed out of the Beautiful room, Draco closely tailed her, "Hermione?  Hermione, where are you going?"

"Oh I'm sorry to have just left but I forgot to bring the ballet box I left it in my room, I'll be back in like ten minutes, promise."

She quickly flew to the Gryffindor common room taking a short cut through the prefects' common room.  She ran (as carefully as she could) up the stairs, "Aha, gotcha." 

Back down the stairs she noticed a lone figure in the common room, reading a book.  "Josh?" she thought she recognized the first year.

He looked up startled, "Yes?"

"Where is everyone else?"

"The all went home for the holidays since they could attended the ball, and I guess you know everyone else is there."

"Oh, well nobody can be alone on Christmas, we can't have that happen, can we?"

"I suppose not, but you can't skip the ball!"

"I know that, it's not exactly what I had in mind.  Would you like to be my date?"

"But what about that Slytherin you went with?  Won't he be upset?"

 "He'll get over it.  Do you have any dress robes?"

The young boy shook his head, "Well that's okay, I'll just shrink some of Harry's and if you like them you can keep them and I'll buy him a new set.  Okay?"

~*~

Hermione walked back  into the giant room with the ballot box, she placed it on the front table and promptly walked over to Draco.

"I need to talk to you."

"Um, okay.  What is it?"

"I can't be your date to the ball anymore."

Draco's eyes fused with anger, "What?  Why not?  What did I do?"

"Oh, nothing, nothing.  I asked someone else."

"You went to get a ballot box, and ended up with a new date?  Remind me that if you ever forget something again to have me go get it."

"Deal."

"Can I ask who it is."

"Josh Bankert.  He's a first year."

"You dumped me for a first year."

"Yes, basically I'll explain it to you later, and I promise you at least one dance."  The gave each other a quick hug and Hermione quickly went to retrieve the waiting Josh form the hall as the Headmaster stood to announce the start of the dancing portion of the evening, and that the polls were open.  (Hermione, Pansy, Cho, Lavender, and Katie Bell were the nominees as well as Draco, Ron and Harry, Colin, Justin Flitch-Fletchy and Terry for the male nominees)

Hermione easily handled the clumsy movements of her partner, and he began to relax once he realized nobody cared that he was just a first year.  After three dances with Hermione, other girls asked if they could dance with the adorable boy.

Hermione laughed as they passed the blushing eleven-year-old off from partner to partner.  "So do I get an explanation now?" a now familiar voice drawled from behind her.

"Yes, and I miss that drawl I haven't heard it for the longest time.  It really does suit you, and it's is kind of sexy.  I'm not trying to change subjects.  When I went back to the common room, I saw josh all by himself.  All the younger years had gone home for the holidays because they couldn't come, so I asked hi to come with me.  See, nothing against you."

"Oh."  ~Wow, she's really something else.  I don't think anyone but her would have asked a first year to the dance and she's a sixth year~ "That was a really nice thing to do for him."

"Oh is Draco jealous?" she asked in a little kid voice.

"Yes!" he retorted, "a midget stole my date, after I stole her from somebody else."

"So what am I?  A version of hot potato?"

"Huh?"

"It's a muggle game."

"Well can I have a dance then?  Your date seems to be occupied right now," he said pointed to the little kid amongst a group of fourth years.  He offered an hand and she eagerly took it.

A song was just ending, and a slow song started, "I have a good timing."

Hermione gave an exasperated groan but smiled as she put her arms around Draco's neck.  She relaxed her head comfortably on his shoulder and he wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her close to him.

They just seemed so right: their movements meshed together and they looked as one.  They rest of the world became invisible as they danced, they didn't noticed the song had ended until Draco was jerked out of his dream world with a tap on his shoulder.

"Excuse me?  But the last song has ended and I was wondering if I could squeeze my dance out of Hermione before I run out of time?"

"Of course," said Hermione before whispering into Draco's ear, "I told you this might happen, I'm not very good at saying no."  She gave his hand a squeeze and was lead off by the Hufflepuff escort.

She understood how Josh must feel as she switched partners after every song.  The guys she promised dances to seemed to notice she dancing with other guys and wanted to get their turn to so after each song they interrupted, before some other guys got the chance.  Paul was the last one.

"So, so you mind one more change of partners, or do you want to get back to your date?" Hermione looked over to Josh who was now dancing with Ginny, and giggled.  "Is my proposition that funny?"

"No, no, no.  It's just that my date has had even more partners than I have had tonight."

"Malfoy? I don't think so, they only time I saw him dance was with you."

"Oh you didn't hear?  Josh Bankert is my date tonight.  He was all by himself in the common room and I didn't think that was right so I asked him."

"Oh." The most laughed meekly for a moment and then the next song came on.  "So should I ask someone else to dance or will you dance with me?"

"I wouldn't like anything more than to dance with you."

And that's what they did.  They danced, they talked, they laughed, and all to soon it was over.  They hugged and Paul walked off to the other side of the room.

Hermione went to sit down next to Draco, to catch her breath.  He had punch waiting for her.  "Are you having fun, Mina?"

"Yes.  And I must add you're surprising me tonight, first the drawl and then the name.  You haven't called me that since the lesson after Halloween."

"I know, I want to be remembered tonight amidst all the other guys that seem to surround you."

"Awe poor, poor Draco.  Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?"

"You could dance with me – after you caught you breath that is."

"Of course."  They stood up but just as they had Dumbledore call for their attention.  It was already becoming a late night and was currently a quarter to eleven.

"Excuse me.  I hope you all are having a wonderful time, let's thank our Prefects for this fabulous display of creativity."  A round of applause rang out through the hall and the prefects blushed slightly.  "Yes.  Well it is my pleasure to crown the Queen and King of tonight's dance."

A silence quickly fell over the crowd, as the candidates were call forward.

"Your Concordia Ball King is Draco Malfoy."  Cheers and hisses were heard throughout the groups of students.  {Apparently the other students had split their votes between the candidates of the houses that the combined total of all the Slytherins out shadowed the others.}

McGonagall placed a well-encrusted crown on his head.  It was made of both silver and gold and matched the décor beautifully.

"The queen is another creator of this ball: Hermione Granger!"  The enormous amount of cheers over powered the slight hisses for the Slytherins.  A exquisite sash was magicked around Hermione, Draco removed the tiara he gave for Christmas and replaced it with the other one.  Dumbledore presented her with a bouquet of gold-dipped roses wrapped in a silver tissue paper cover.  A single tear of happiness dripped down Hermione's cheek as she hugged her King.

"And now, the King and Queen shall share a dance!"

You're one in a million, oh

You're one in a million, oh

The music started, the candlelight dimmed, and Draco led his date out into the middle of the dance floor and spun her into his embrace.

"I guess I do get my dance."

"Yes, I guess you do.  Everyone is watching."

"Who cares?"  Hermione stared up into the now welcoming silver eyes and knew he actually meant what he said.

Sometimes love can hit you everyday

And sometimes you can fall for everyone you see

But only one can really make me stay

A sign from the sky sent to me

"Hey your eyes match the theme.  I'm so jealous."

You're one in a million

You're once in a lifetime

You made me discover why there are stars above us

You're one in a million

You're once in a lifetime

You made me discover why there are stars above us

He just smiled for a moment.  "Yes.  Look at me for a second."  That was certainly no problem.  "You don't have to worry too much thought; your eyes have just the right golden touch so you match the theme too." 

I'm been looking for that special one

I've been searching for someone to give my love

And when I thought that all the hope was gone

A smile, there you were and I was gone

I always will remember how I felt that day

A feeling indescribable to me, yeah

I always knew there was an answer for my prayer

And you, you were the one, the one for me

That relaxed Hermione, and for the second time that night she and Draco were the only ones in the room.  They listened to the lyrics and stared at each other.

You're one in a million

You're once in a lifetime

You made me discover why there are stars above us

You're one in a million

You're once in a lifetime

You made me discover why there are stars above us

In the beginning I was cool; everything was possible

You tried to catch me but it wasn't possible

No one could have it was my game

Until I met you baby and we're the same

Cause the funny thing about it is I like the show

I like it's when it's difficult I like it when it's hard

Cause then you know it's worth it when you find your heart

For two other boys that night, something clicked: they had lost Hermione to the Slytherin prince.  It wasn't what was spoken, it was their unbreakable gaze, the unmoving smiles, and the sweeping comfort they spread around the room as they danced.

You're one in a million

You're once in a lifetime

You made me discover why there are stars above us

You're one in a million

You're once in a lifetime

You made me discover why there are stars above us

You're one in a million

It was a very long three and half minutes and as soon as it was over so was the night for one person.  He stuck out, as there was a polite round of applause that brought the royal couple back to reality.  They smiled meekly, embarrassed at the thought of being watched in such an 'eye opening' moment.

They stepped off the floor, pretending to refresh themselves to wait while the room once refilled its self with dancing couples.

They shared another dance before Hermione went to check on her date.  "How are you doing Josh?  I didn't mean to leave you all by yourself, but you looked like you having fun so I thought it was okay."

"All I can say is thank you.  Wait till I tell Maddie and Joel.  They will be so jealous.  Do you know how many girls I've danced with tonight?"  Hermione shook her head and shrugged.  "Me neither."  He was dragged off with a finals thanks by a bunch of third years.

Draco and Hermione danced the rest of the night together.  It didn't matter what type of music it was, they swayed together, and the was the important part, being together.

The clock struck midnight, and Draco bent down and kissed Hermione and she willing kissed back.

"Mmm, so what time do I get my kiss tomorrow?'

"Huh?"

"Well at the last dance, you kissed me and then the following day you kissed me again."

"Oh.  Well I guess we'll be needing to have a dance every other day."

"Or you could just kiss me."

"I think I can handle that.  But Hermione don't you care what people will say?  You know the Sltherin Prince with Lady Gryffindor?"

She stepped back from him, "I'm surprised at you.  I said something along the same lines before and what did you say, 'who cares'.  So that's what I'm going to say.  I don't care who sees, do you?"

"No," he lied, "I suppose you're right."  He certainly didn't want a select group of Slytherins see and know he's secret.  It would get back to his father faster than you could say 'Concordia'.

Right before the ball ended Terry and Hannah walked over.  "If you two aren't too tired we having a celebration in our common room."

They looked at each other, "We'll be there."

"I guess I should take my date back to the common room.  Have you seen him?"

"I saw him about an hour ago walking out with Ron, Ginny, and Harry."

"Well, I guess I don't have to worry about that then."

"Good let's go party!"

"Boys!  What do you think we've been doing since about seven?"

"Dancing!"

"Point taken."

With that they grabbed the extra food and took it back to their common room

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I don't know why but this has been a really hard chapter to write.  I hope it doesn't lack the magic and romance that some people like in these kind of chapters.  I wrote a whole bunch after I finished with my finals (on real paper, I don't use that very often) so of course they aren't very good cause I was tired of writing so this chapter really took the brunt of the suffering, I'm sorry. 

Have suggestions for me to improve it, review.

You still like it, (even if it does suck.), review.

You hate it, tell me what I can do to fix it, review.

In other words, just REVIEW.

What you have to look forward to:

1) The start of a beautiful relationship

2) Secret judges

3) The always-exciting Gryffindor vs. Slytherin Quidditch match

4) More of the beautiful relationships