Draco and Hermione awoke the next morning and wished they could just remain in each other's arms forever. But the ball was tonight. They had a lot to do that day.
"Draco? I need to go get clothes from my room" Hermione finally said reluctantly. She didn't want to get up, but she knew she had to.
"Why can't you wear yesterday's clothes and stay here for a while?" he asked in an almost whiney voice. He couldn't believe that he was so madly in love with someone that he didn't want her to leave his bed. Never in all his life did he think he would ever feel like this.
"Because I spilled pumpkin juice all over my blouse yesterday at dinner." she replied. Draco rose from the bed and treaded over to his closet. He sifted through it until he pulled out a fuzzy dark green sweater.
"Here, wear this". She took the sweater and pulled it over her head. It smelled of his cologne and it was enough to intoxicate her. She put on her skirt from the previous day with her new sweater. They had no classes that day so it didn't really matter what she wore. But they had to head down to breakfast soon. She and Draco met the rest of the group in the common room and they walked down to the Great Hall together. Draco seated himself with the other Gryffindors, which was a disgrace to the other Slytherins. He didn't care anymore. Things were definitely different.
From across the hall an annoying blonde saw this public display and was instantly infuriated. 'I will get that filthy mudblood for stealing my man if it's the last thing I do' she muttered to herself. But Draco didn't notice this. He didn't realize how angry his house mates were. He was with his new friends who treated him more like a person than anyone in his house ever had. Which was amazing to him considering they had been enemies all this time.
The day went by slowly as everyone was anticipating the ball. But finally all the girls decided it was time to get ready. Sure they had about 5 hours, but beauty takes time. Hermione and Draco stayed in their own dorms alone and changed while the others went back to Gryffindor Tower. Hermione entered her room to get ready only to see a note on her pillow with a small black box beside it.
Herm,
I want tonight to be magical, as I know you do also. Meet me in the common room at 8:00. Wear what's in the box. I will see you at 8. I love you more.
Draco

She smiled to herself and picked up the small box. She opened the lid and found the most gorgeous earrings she had ever seen. They matched her ring beautifully. There were three diamonds on each earring. She would sparkle in more ways than one tonight.
She slipped into her new gown and looked into the mirror. The scrawny eleven year old no longer looked back at her. She had filled out, grown up, and tamed her wild tresses. She had grown up so much since her first year in the castle, and she couldn't believe her eyes. She was now a young woman who was going to marry the man who was once her enemy but now the man of her dreams. Things were changing.
She tore her gaze away from the mirror. It was finally time to meet Draco. She spritzed on some perfume and slipped on her shoes. She headed out the door and carefully walked down the stairs. Suddenly a blonde man came into view. He was wearing his dark green dress robes and held a bouquet of daisies.
"Good evening my lady. You look absolutely stunning tonight. These are for you" he said as he took her hand and kissed it.
"How did you know these are my favorite flowers?"
"You told me once. I remembered. I knew you would love them. Now, let's get going before we are late." He held his arm out to her and she took it as he led her out the door and down to the Great Hall. Suddenly they forgot that their days were very limited in this castle. They were focused on each other and didn't notice anyone else.
They entered the hall to see the whole school was already there. All grades were there for the last party of the year. Dumbledor noticed their arrival and stood up to speak. Professor McGonagall tapped on her glass to get the attention of the room and he began to speak.
"Seven years ago this group of students all received letters to come to Hogwarts. Some muggle born, some pureblood, and others half and half. This has taught us to unite. We have learned that blood isn't as important as we may have once thought" he looked down and winked at Draco. "I believe one person in particular learned this lesson well. I will certainly miss each and every one of the seventh year students as it has been a joy to teach you all and watch you grow. I wish you luck in the future. But for now I would like to start out the ball in the traditional way. Would Mr. Draco Malfoy and Miss Hermione Granger please come up here and start the dancing please? Any requests?"
"Just one" Draco replied to the headmaster. He walked up to the band and whispered something to the lead singer. He walked back to Hermione with a smile on his face as the music started. He held out his hand to her.
"May I have this dance?" he asked in such an adorable way.
"Certainly" she said in a whisper. She seemed to have lost her voice as she was caught up in the moment. He wrapped his arms around her as he gently sang the words of their song in her ear with the music. (A/N: I have typed that song enough you should know the one I mean. It's one slowdance by Rufio by the way.)
Everyone watched the happy couple dance. Hermione rested her head on Draco's chest as he rested his chin on her head. "I love you Hermione" he whispered in her ear.
His breath tickled her ear. She whispered back to him " Mmmm I love you more". They both closed their eyes and just held each other swaying back and forth to the beat of the music. Other people joined in but the couple didn't notice. They felt like the only two people in the world.
All too soon the ball was over. The students headed back to their dorms for another night in the castle. Draco held Hermione firmly around the waist and began to lead her up to the head dorms when they were suddenly stopped.
"Hey mudblood. This has gone on long enough. Get your filthy hands off my boyfriend and leave". It was Pansy. Who else could it be?
"Pansy fuck off" Draco replied calmly.
"Draky, please, I'm helping you finally get the mudblood of your back" she replied innocently.
"She's not a mudblood. Say that again and you will be in a world of pain".
"Oh whatever. Look at you. You've gone soft. What the hell is your problem?"
"You. I love her. Get over it. It's not you. I don't love you. We were not meant to be. I'm sorry" he said.
Suddenly she grabbed for the cross necklace around Hermione's neck. "Bitch! That's mine. He was supposed to give it to me. I'm supposed to wear it." She wailed feeling completely alone and rejected.
"But he didn't give it to you. He doesn't want you. Get over it. He wants me". Pansy's hands flew up to the necklace. She ripped it off.
"Mine now"
"Pansy, having my necklace doesn't mean anything. Give it back" Draco tried to reason with her.
"Yeah you look like a desperate loser." Hermione said with a laugh. "come on Draco. A necklace won't prove your love to me".
"Herm, I will get it back."
"No, I don't want anything that she wants too. She isn't worth the fight. Let's just go to bed." She said with a smile. She pushed Pansy aside and walked past her. Draco scooped her up in his warm embrace.
"I love you Herm. No matter what anyone else says."

"I know, but I love you more." He smiled at her and they made their way up to the room leaving Pansy behind looking shocked. He laid her on the bed and pulled off her robes. His only intention was getting to bed as he reached for her pajamas. Finally she spoke.
"Uhh Draco. . . I think we need a bath. Let's make this night worth it. We don't have many left". she said with a sly grin.

A/N: ok the rest of this night shall be in the next chapter. I'm almost done with this story. I move to college on Sunday so it will be done before that I hope. But if not I will finish anyway. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Keep tuning in for more romance (