A/N: Thanks 2 everyone who reviewed again! I swear I need to respond 2 every review… someday *looks into the distance* Anyway! Read Read Read!!

***

Chapter 4

The Ball and suspicion

'Eeeeeek!' whined Ron and Harry, '3 more days till the ball and WE HAVEN'T GOT A DATE!' They looked at Hermione and said, 'hint hint.'

Hermione rolled her eyes and replied in an exasperated voice, 'Aiyai Captain Lazy Buggas!', and saluted.

'Thanks Hermione! You know you wanna do it! I mean… its fun… isn't it?'

'Yeh! Of course! I mean I get to look into every corner of Hogwarts to look for girls for you two! O hangon… or are you interested in guys… maybe you will be more interesting in front of guys coz your partners at the last ball died of boredom!'

Harry and Ron looked ashamed. Harry said quietly, 'err… don't worry about me… I'll ask someone myself…'

'Thankyou Harry,' Hermione smiled as she slumped into the chair in Gryffindor's common room, 'you're not gonna ask her again are you? She is such a bitch! Excuse my language, but she is! She rejected you Harry! Rejected you.'

'Hey you don't have to rub it in you know,' replied Harry.

'Sorry… I just thought you forgot about how she broke your heart,' Hermione touched where her hearts was dramatically.

Harry glared at her.

Ron looked uneasy and jumped up suddenly, 'I know! I can ask Ginny to the ball so 'Mione won't have to look for a partner for me!'

Harry and Hermione gaped with shock at Ron.

'She's your sister Ron! Your SISTER!' yelled Hermione.

'So?' said a confused looking Ron.

'What made you think she doesn't have a partner already?' asked Harry.

'What! Ginny has a boyfriend?! Who?! TELL ME WHO IT IS!' yelled Ron, cracking his knuckles and neck.

'I didn't say she has one… I was just trying to say… err… that you… just can't go with your sister… because… because……..' stuttered Harry.

'Huh?' asked Ron. He was really confused.

'Oooohhh?' said Hermione with a smirk.

'Gotta go! Bye!' said Harry quickly and ran out of the portrait hole.

'Are you thinking what I'm thinking?' asked Hermione.

'I dunno what are you thinking?' Hermione rolled her eyes.

'What do you think I'm thinking?'

'How am I supposed to know what you are thinking when I am trying to work out what I'm thinking?'

'O GOSH RON! I THINK HARRY IS GONNA ASK SOMEONE TO THE BALL AND THAT SOMEONE MIGHT BE…. Might be… you know!'

'OOOOOOOOH!!! You could've spoken more plainly!'

'I didn't know you were that dumb.'

'So who is Harry gonna ask?'

'ARGH RON! HOW SLOW CAN YOU GET!'

'That's a good question… I've been thinking about that during the whole summer…'

'EURGH! I wonder what Ginny would say to Harry. HINT HINT!'

'Would say to Harry what? Do you know something that I don't Hermione?' asked Ron innocently.

Hermione breathed deeply and explained in simple words, 'I think Harry is going to ask Ginny to the ball. Are you comprehending, I mean, do you get me so far?'

'Ohhhhh!! Well I don't think Harry is going to ask Ginny coz I said I was going to ask her. And besides, Harry knows that I will kill the git who asks my sister out.'

Hermione sighed and continued reading her book.

***

Preparations

Hermione fell from the stool and was caught just in time by Ron. She blushed and Ron turned a bit red.

'Careful Hermione…' muttered Ron.

Hermione jumped onto the ground and muttered thanks.

'Leave your mushy things in the common room you rats,' sneered Draco. 'Go get a room. In case you have forgotten, we're here to prepare the Great Hall for the ball. We will do fine without you both.'

'I was doing what I came here to do, Malfoy! Until you pushed me off my stool when I just happened to be standing on it!'

 'Well you can always use magic to prepare the hall! This is a wizard school, Granger!'

'I was using magic you dolt! You were standing in front of me so I couldn't see what I am using my spells on! The stool helped me tower over you so I can see!' spat out Hermione.

'It looked like you were trying to use the stool to hang up the draperies!'

'Well you need glasses Malfoy!'

'Well you can always grow taller!' replied Draco heatedly.

'I'm trying!' Hermione jumped up and down, 'See? I'm trying!'

Ron grabbed Draco by the hair and hissed, 'watch your language, you bitch,'

Draco shrugged Ron off and sniggered while combing his hair with his comb (which he always put in his pocket), 'Weasel came to save his ugly troll, ey?'

He walked away from them and continued charming draperies.

'That fart…' muttered Ron, 'you alright Hermione? Er… you can stop jumping now…'

'O… I just wanna grow taller… anyway, thanks Ron!' Hermione smiled at Ron.

'My pleasure,' Ron smiled back at Hermione.

For the rest of the afternoon, they charmed draperies, and did those other things that made the Great Hall look beautiful. They made the house tables disappear so that there will be a big dance floor. They also cleared away the staffs' tables so that the teachers will get a private dance floor of their own. Dumbledore charmed the ceiling. Instead of the normal ceiling, it now showed a cloudless midnight blue sky with a round full moon and little stars everywhere. The Great Hall was decorated with draperies in the house colours. The wooden floor of the hall was polished so that it gleamed under the moonlight. All the paintings were removed, and a new one installed. It was a very old painting. It was a painting that showed the great four house leaders, Salazar Slytherin, Griffith Griffindor, and the other house leaders, dancing. Dumbledore said that it had been hidden in the storeroom for a few decades. According to him, the painting was painted when Hogwarts was opened, and there was a grand ball. The painting showed the house leaders dancing in a waltz, with smiles on their faces. It was actually a very nice painting.

***

It was a few days until the ball, and Hermione still didn't have a partner. Harry had found one already, but he wouldn't tell the other two, or anyone else, who the lucky lady was. Well… not that lucky, because he bored the shit out of his partner in the last ball. His new partner will only be bored to hell. Ron didn't have a partner yet; apparently, Ginny was already taken.

Flashback!

'Hey Ginny!' yelled Ron across the common room as Ginny walked down from the girls' dormitories.

'Hey Ronni bro!' yelled Ginny cheerfully.

'Will you go to the ball with your lovely handsome brother?' asked Ron sweetly.

'Errr… I… err… I can't… I'm going with another…' Ginny looked a bit uncomfortable.

'Oh,' said Ron disappointedly,' its ok… I'll go find another…'

'Gotta go! See ya!' said Harry as he ran out of the room.

'He's been saying that a lot lately, especially when you're here, Ginny, or when we're talking about you.' said Ron, 'I wonder why..' but he didn't spend any more thought on it as he continued playing wizard chess with Seamus.

'Yeh… I wonder why… gotta go! See ya!' said Ginny as she ran out of the portrait hole with a guilty expression on her face.

Flashback!

Hermione didn't have a partner either, but that wasn't anything to worry about because she simply didn't care. Krum dumped her last year. But that was expected to happen, since relationships didn't seem to last long when the only communications between them were letters, and meeting now and then in the holidays. When they broke up, they said they would still be friends, but they just… stopped communicating with each other and eventually Krum forgot about Hermione. But Hermione didn't forget easily. She promised herself not to get involved in a relationship unless she was ready for it, and she was no where near it.

But Ron, on the other hand, was desperate. He needed a date for the ball but no one seemed to want to go with him. So he resorted to his first choice, which he skipped because he was afraid that person would refuse him and lower his self-esteem. And so he prepared himself for the time and puffed up his chest.

'Hermione!' he yelled across the common room. She hardly used the prefect's common room other than at night when she did her homework and to sleep.

'Ron!' Hermione yelled back.

'Will you come to the ball with me?!' Ron yelled back.

'Ye-WHAT?!'

Ron whimpered and said softly, 'w-w-will y-you c-come to the b-ball with m-me?'

'Err…errr… why not?' Hermione smiled. She wasn't ready for a relationship yet, but sure Ron wasn't going to start one with her. Besides, she didn't want to reject him. She will go with him, as a friend.

Ron jumped around and babbled on cheerfully about how fun it would be. Yes! He thought, she's going to come to the ball with ME! This will be the start of a beautiful relationship. (A/N: hehehehehehehehehe)

***

The hours before the ball

Draco looked at himself at the mirror and smiled to himself. He was drop dead gorgeous. Or was he? He wasn't sure. He wasn't sure if what he was wearing was too dull. Or whether it was too plain. He always doubt about whether he looked good or not, but never once has he stepped wrong in the maze of fashion. His mother always told him that he looked good in everything. His father always smiled when he saw Draco because he looked so much like him, and dressed so much like him. His parents loved him.

He looked smug in his black plain robe which went nicely with his well toned and muscled body. Plain might be his robe, but it is a brand name and is made of top quality cloth and made by the master of fashion himself. It was a bit tight over his torso so that you could see the outline of his hard chest clearly. The sleeves of the robes were loose, with plain simple silver embroidery at the bottom of the sleeves. There was also simple silver embroidery at the bottom of the robe. The collar of the robe went up his neck, with a little slit at down the throat so that Draco could breathe. There was a little silver embroidery at the rim of the collar. He put on a little cologne; not too much, as a last touch. He had his hair in its normal style; pushed back over his head. His silver eyes looked especially bright tonight. Overall, he looked stunning.

Draco climbed down the stairs of his room and entered the prefect's common room. The other prefects were no where in sight; they were either in their rooms or in their house common rooms. He walked over to Salazar Slytherin's portrait, which was in the prefect's common room, and said the password. He climbed over the portrait hole and into the Slytherin common room.

A few girls whistled as Draco walked in. All movement stopped as everyone eagerly absorbed in Draco's appearance. The girls gave Draco dreamy looks while the guys looked at him jealously. In the midst of the chaos, he saw Pansy Parkinson in a bright yellow robe with bright green polka dots all over it, which was too seemed to be too small for her. Instead of the dress bringing out the curves of Pansy's body, it showed her six flab. You could see her rows of fat under her garment. The shortness of the robe showed Pansy's bright pink shoes, which seemed to be giving off an unpleasant odour. The robe was sleeveless, which exposed Pansy's flabby arms. The robe's collar was low cut, which showed the middle of Pansy's pimple covered chest. (A/N: ewwwwwwwww!!) Her face, however, was a different story. It was worst than the dress. Her hair was dyed yellow to suit her dress. She wore thick eye shadows, eye liners, and she put on far too much make up. She put on some red blush on her cheeks; at least, she thought she put on some red blush. To Draco, she seemed more like a red faced drunkard with too much make up on, with an ugly pimply chest and a hideous yellow robe with green polka dots, and not to mention, pink stinky shoes. Draco gagged and nearly retched. Pansy saw Draco looking at her and smiled. She wiggled her fingers and said seductively, or so she thought, 'Hey Dracie poopsie baby! Ooo you look sexai!' she purred like a cat. Draco shuddered and said, 'Hey Pansy dear… you… errrr… look like a princess tonight…' he said to Pansy but added under his breath, 'yes a princess of the rotten and poisoned pumpkin dump.'

'Wait till you see me two hours later! This is just the beginning of my make up!'

Draco shuddered again. He walked over to Crabb and Goyle. Crabb was wearing a plain brown robe with brown embroidery. You could tell that it was made of high quality cloth. Crabb was wearing a plain grey robe with grey embroidery, which was also, made of high quality cloth. Draco stood out from all of them. The girls were bustling around and chatting and giggling amongst themselves while preparing for the ball. Draco avoided looking at Pansy, in case he had a heart attack when he looked at her.

***

Ze Ball (A/N: da da da dummmmmmm… da da da dummmmmmmmmmmmm…)

Draco entered the Great Hall with an air of arrogance around him. He received looks of awe and praises from all the girls in the hall, with a few exceptions. However, the looks of awe soon turned to disgust when they saw Pansy Parkinson holding Draco's arm. Pansy, however, didn't notice because she was fussing over Draco's fingers and saying how beautiful and long and smooth they were. Draco slapped her hands away but Pansy didn't let go. Then suddenly there was silence and then praises of awe. But, the attention wasn't directed at Draco. It was directed as someone behind him.

Draco swirled around and gaped in shock, surprise and awe. There, standing right in front of him, was his exact twin… only it was a she… and only she didn't look like him… he didn't know who she was, but he knew she was beautiful. She had brown wavy hair and rested comfortably on her shoulders and back. She wasn't very tall, kind of short. She had white straight teeth which composed a beautiful smile. She was wearing something which looked very familiar… it looked like his own robe; only it was a feminine cut. The robe was sleeveless, but there was simple silver embroidery at the sides of the robe. There was also embroidery at the hem of the robe. There robe contained a low triangular neckline, but at the front and the back of the dress. Instead of having pimply skin like Pansy's, she had smooth skin. The robe was made to fit perfectly over her. It was tight over her body so that her curves could be seen clearly. She was wearing a plain silver necklace which went well with her dress. She looked at her audience shyly and her cheeks turned slightly pink. For a few seconds, the beautiful lady's dazzling warm brown eyes met with Draco's bright silver ones. Draco was mesmerized but stared in shock when he saw the red haired boy with his maroon second-hand robe standing next to the lady and holding her arm protectively. Draco's eyes met with the lady's eyes again but he sniggered and looked arrogantly at her. The lady's eyes turned into a sharp glare and looked away. But deep inside, Draco was surprised that a mudblood, like Hermione, could look so beautiful. 'She looks so different! Where did she get the money to buy that dress?' he asked himself. But then, Hermione's parents are dentists and they receive quite a high salary.

***

Hermione shook her head. A little voice screamed in her head.

Draco looks so handsome.

Hermione shook her head again.

Look at that well toned body baby! Woooooohoooo! He looks sexai!

Hermione shook her head more vigorously.

You know you want him, girl.

Hermione shook her head again.

You two will look excellent tonight if you danced together… matching robes! Awww how sweet!

Hermione slapped her forehead, 'WHAP!'

'Hermione you alright?' asked Ron in a concerned voice.

'Yeh… I'm fine… just a mozzie' replied Hermione weakly. She glanced back at Draco and just in time saw him grabbing Pansy's arse. Hermione shuddered in revulsion.

***

Draco shook his head while a little voice in his head screamed at him.

Ooo she looks sexai.

Draco shook his head.

Well she looks far better than Pansy.

Draco nodded.

You want Hermione.

Draco shook his head.

You two will look great if yo danced together tonight… matching robes! Awwwww!!

Draco slapped his forehead.

'What's wrong my honey bunny Drakie?' asked Pansy in a sweet voice.

'Nothing,' he muttered. He needed something to get his mind off Hermione. Preferably something gross so Hermione wouldn't come into his thoughts again because the gross thing will probably take over his mind. He grabbed Pansy's arse and held back tears. He felt something squishy and soft between Pansy's butt crack. He nearly puked all over her.

'Ohhhh…' said Pansy seductively and grabbed Draco's arse. Draco bit back a scream. He quickly slapped Pansy's hand away and said, 'no touchy.'

A soft cough was heard. Everyone turned their heads to Dumbledore as he looked around the Great Hall with his twinkling blue eyes. He started his speech, 'Welcome to the Ball, students of Hogwarts! Please thank all the prefects for preparing this ball and making the Great Hall a heaven,' he gave the audience brief information on the painting hanging on the wall, which had everyone's attention, 'may the best happen to all of you tonight! You are in one of the best schools in the wizard world and be proud of who you are and where you are! The best for the best!' Dumbledore's cheerful voice rang across the Great Hall, 'now the head girl and the head boy shall have their dance.'

The lights were switched off as the moonlight rained on the hall. The head girl and boy danced as everyone looked in silence. A grunt was heard as the head boy stepped on the head girl's foot. The dance finished, and the head girl and boy bowed to the audience. The head boy walked to his partner while the head girl limped to hers.

All the students slowly spilled over the dance floor and danced. A very slow waltz was playing. Draco held Pansy with disgust as she digged her fingers into his shoulders and rested her head on Draco's chest. Draco looked at Hermione. Then suddenly a thought came into his head. He sniggered. He let go of Pansy and said, 'Excuse me but I have something else to do.'

'But…but…but… Drakie! What about our stuff?' asked Pansy in a hurt voice.

'What stuff?' asked Draco innocently and moved towards Hermione.

Just in time they were swapping partners. Draco moved next to Ron and received a shocked Hermione into his arms.

'W-WHA!' stuttered Hermione.

'Shhh and dance, dear.' Grinned Draco evilly.

'What are you doing you Bozo!' hissed Hermione.

'This will be something I can use against you for the rest of your school life. We are in war after all, or have you forgotten?'

'How can you use this against me?' asked Hermione confusedly.

Draco rolled his eyes, 'because, I know you can't stand the fact that you danced with me,' smirked Draco.

'O yeh?! How would you know!?'

'I know because I know.'

Hermione struggled to be released. Ron was busy talking to Harry at the side of the dance floor and so he didn't realise that Hermione was dancing with Malfoy.

After a while Hermione ran out of energy and stopped struggling. She finally gave up and made up her mind that she had to dance with him no matter what she did because he was too strong for her. She sighed and moved to the music.

A strange sensation wrapped itself over her heart as she danced in Draco's arms. She shook her head. She tried to look away but her eyes were drawn to Draco's. Silver met brown. Instead of the usual cold eyes, Draco's eyes were soft and warm. She stared into them for a while but shook herself back to life. This is Draco! DRACO!! She thought to herself in disgust.

Draco held Hermione securely by the waist. Strangely, instead of thinking about their war with each other and how he could destroy Hermione with this dance, he thought about how… beautiful she looked. He took in her curves and her *ahem* things. Her body had matured during the years at Hogwarts. He wondered how popular she would become after the ball. After all, she looked more presentable with her wavy hair and straightened teeth. Her appearance changed a lot since the day before the ball.

Suddenly Hermione stopped struggling. Draco sighed with exhaustion. Hermione was pretty strong for her petite size. For a brief moment he looked into Hermione's eyes. Instead of the normal hard glare that Hermione gave Draco, this time her eyes were filled with a dazzling warmness that wrapped Draco's heart with a weird sensation. He couldn't say anything else but this girl took his breath away. Draco shook his head. What was he thinking?! This is Granger, Granger the MUDBLOOD! He thought to himself. He just realised that he had put down his defences and that his emotions were showing. He steeled his mind and made his eyes look at Hermione in a cold expression instead of one filled with softness. Of all the things that his father taught him, hiding his emotion is the best defence in the world. He saw Hermione's expression harden as well.

Once again it was time to swap partners, but Hermione ran out of the hall instead. All heads turned to look at her. The clock struck twelve o'clock as Cinderella ran out of the ball. Draco felt a rough hand grab him by the collar and two familiar voices hissed, 'What did you do Malfoy you bastard!' Draco shoved them off and ran after Hermione. Ron and Harry ran after him.

***

Hermione ran away from Draco and the ball. Tears of confusion rolled down her cheeks as she ran into an empty classroom and locked the door. Questions pushed into her mind.

Why?

What was that weird feeling?

Why did Draco soften his expression when he looked at me?

Why did he glare at me so suddenly?

Why why why?!

Why does he hate mudbloods?

O wait I already know that…

But still WHY?!

She hugged herself and hummed an old tune to soothe her confused mind. She fell asleep eventually.

***

Draco gave up. Hermione was no where to be found. He walked to the prefect's common room with confused thoughts swirling in his mind. Then suddenly he stopped in his tracks.

***

Hermione opened the door and walked out sleepily. She wondered how long she had fallen asleep for. She stopped in her tracks. She saw Umbridge lurking behind the wall. She seemed to be listening to something… then Hermione saw. On the other side of the wall stood Dumbledore and McGonagall whispering to each other.

'-we will leave in two months, to warn the president,' continued Dumbledore.

'What of he-who-must-not-be-named? What should we do with him?' inquired McGonagall.

'I will deal with that.'

'Who will take care of the school while we are gone?'

'Umbridge will.'

'HER?!''

'You need to learn to trust her, Minerva.'

The conversation continued but she wasn't concentrating on them. Instead, she was watching Umbridge. Suspicion filled her as she gave the matter a deep thought.

Who does Umbridge truly work for?

If she works for the light, why is she spying at her own companions?

Which side is she on?

***

Umbridge grinned to herself. Part of what she came here for was completed.

***

Draco listened interestedly at Dumbledore and McGonagall's conversation. So far his father's plan was working. He smirked. This is going beautifully, he thought. He looked around, and saw another listener. There, hiding behind the wall, was Umbridge. He thought to himself; Umbridge works for the shadow then, she chose the winning side. He smiled to himself. But what Draco, Hermione and Umbridge didn't know was… Dumbledore and McGonagall were giving off false information as well… but why?

***

Dumbledore and McGonagall walked into another corridor. Umbridge didn't bother to continue spying on them and instead took her mop in disgust and walked away. Hermione sighed and decided that she needed a walk outside. She tottered slowly to the garden outside and hoped that Filch or Mrs Norris wouldn't see her.

She breathed in deeply and closed her eyes for a moment. It is very dark, about midnight. Then unexpectedly she felt a hard blow behind her head as a familiar voice whispered, 'Ello Poppin. The centaurs will love you.' She fell unconscious as Umbridge giggled evilly and pulled Hermione by the hair into the Forbidden Forest.

A/N: MWAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAA! *evil and insane laughter* I am so evil! Another cliff hanger to satisfy your thirst! Want me to continue? Then REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW! I spent the whole day writing this so you'd better like it and give me lots of review! REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!!!! *waits patiently as you review* Thankyou come again! :D