Disclaimer: Not mine. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~* Hermione started getting dressed at two o'clock, even though the dance wasn't until six. Most of her room were helping each other so they had decided that two was ok. Lavender had relented and gone with Ron as neither had found a partner, Padma was going with Justin and Parvati with Seamus. Ginny scored Neville and Hermione laughed when she found out Draco was landed with Pansy. Hermione got into the shower and washed herself and hair all over again. She scrubbed and scrubbed until Lavender knocked on the door complaining there wouldn't be any skin left on her. Hermione chuckled and got out, toweling herself quickly dry. Hermione got into her underwear and petticoat while helping Lavender get on her tight corset type thing. Hermione wasn't sure what it was but it looked uncomfortable. She slipped on some tanning lotion to give herself a little golden sparkle and then Hermione had to let it dry before she could allow Lavender into her dress. The stunning blue dress of Hermione's was a simple zipper number that was easy to get in and out of. She eased it over her wet hair and let it fall naturally. It looked even better now and Hermione was pleased with it. The dress was slightly above knee length with a curved neck and small sleeves. Hermione went over and sat down beside Lavender in the window. The girls watched as some of the Gryffindor boys played some sort of football. The players were streaking around and Hermione wondered if they were on brooms. She couldn't quite see, and quite frankly, didn't really care. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~* An hour and a half later, about 3:30, Hermione nudged Lavender that her tanning lotion was dry. The girl had dosed of some time ago and Hermione gradually woke her up. Her eyes fluttered open and Hermione helped her put on her pretty, and ironic, lavender dress. Hermione thought it was rather nice but thought maybe it was a little old for Lavender. It was a long, slinky dress that was held up by clear straps that you wouldn't see unless you tried to take it off. The beadwork was intricate and amazing and Hermione couldn't help feeling that Lavender had tried her best. Lavender had also managed to grow her hair, so she put it in a ponytail, plaited it, rolled it into a bun and tied a scrunchie and then topped it off with some hair sticks that Hermione had. Hermione admitted she looked good and so did the rest of the room, but nearly all commented that Hermione would look much better. Hermione brushed her long hair into a bun and secured all the wispy bits with bobby pins. She looped her bun cover over it and like Lavender, plunged some blue hair sticks into her the bun. She dotted on a little concealer and face powder and then brushed on some blush. Wiping a little eye shadow and lipstick were the finishing touches. She walked back out to get her shoes and glanced at Padma's clock, startled to see that it was 5:30. Hermione couldn't believe she had spent two hours getting herself and Lavender ready but figured that the clock wasn't lying. For the next half an hour, Hermione flitted around giving advice and help to the girls that needed it. Padma and Parvati had both gone deep burgundy coloured dresses where as Ginny had gone a light green that contrasted with her hair. At five to six, the five girls strolled down the stairs and Hermione was disappointed to see everyone there but Harry. "He's coming, just doing something extra special!" Ron whispered in her ear. Hermione smiled and the four couples walked arm-in arm down to the hall. Ten minutes later, Harry walked down. He looked stunning, Hermione had to admit it. He had gone black suit and had pinned a little corsage with a jinxed blue rose on it. He slid on another onto Hermione's wrist and kissed her hand like a French man. "Hi gorgeous," he murmured. "Hi to you too!" Hermione whispered back. He pulled her into him and the two found each other's mouths and Hermione ran her hand down Harry's back. Harry pulled slightly away and Hermione opened her eyes. "Why'd you stop?" she muttered. "You want to go to this ball, right?" Harry responded. Hermione laughed and the pair walked down to the hall. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~* When Hermione walked into the hall, she immediately felt like every person's eyes were on her. She blushed slightly and Harry continued walking her down to where Ron was chatting with Lavender. Hermione sighed softly. If Ron hadn't moved, nothing would be different. 'But he did! And that's what counts!' screamed a small voice in her head. Hermione scowled at the thought but her smile was quickly back on her face and the light danced across her face. Harry excused himself and offered to get Hermione some punch. She accepted and he disappeared in the crowd. Hermione wandered around the hall and thought of her life at Hogwarts. It had been a happy place, despite her troubles, and she still called it home. As Hermione was walking, she saw Pansy with a look on her face like she had just smelt something really bad and Draco glaring at her. Hermione smiled and found a little passage she had never seen before. She stepped into it and noticed that no one would really see her from there. She admired the view, of her classmates and friends, of the rebels and enemies and how they all tied in together. Hermione looked up to the heavens and silently thanked God for her wonderful time at Hogwarts. Hermione slipped back out into the throng of partygoers and found Harry who was a little frantic. He handed Hermione the punch and led her outside. Together they walked down to the lake and sat in a spot that bounced the moonlight onto their faces so that they could see each other. They sat in silence for a while, thinking, processing and thinking some more. Eventually, it was Harry that broke the silence. "Hey 'Mione?" "Yep?" "Well, I hurt my stomach the other day at Quidditch when a rogue bludger took a death path and I was wondering if you'd like looking at it?" he said, looking at her with a mischievous look on his face. "What have I got to do?" she replied, sighing heavily. "Your kisses always help," he offered. Hermione smiled and Harry undid his shirt, revealing his smooth stomach. Hermione had always admired Harry but she liked him more that he really knew. She bent down and examined it. She pointed and prodded annoying Harry no end she was sure. A couple of times, she lent down to hear the heartbeat. Eventually she pronounced the obvious. "I am pretty sure it's fine." "Just to make sure, just kiss it. You have 'healing' kisses that'll be sure to help." Hermione sighed again and bending down, kissed the belly button. She found his stomach nearly as soft as his lips and she kissed slightly higher. Before she knew it, she was being pulled up to Harry's mouth. "You want to repeat that up here?" he breathed. His warm, slightly minty breath intrigued Hermione and she met his teasing mouth. He swirled his arms around her back and kissed the whole way down her neck. Running his right hand up and down Hermione's spine, he felt her shiver against him. He sat up but she immediately collapsed into him, completely locked with his mouth. She was dipping and sampling and running her hands through his hair. Harry rolled a little so that Hermione was next to him. He got the tip of his index finger and slid it over all of Hermione's curves. She pulled away slightly but Harry pulled her back and she opened her eyes to meet his. "You reckon that'll fix it?" she said teasingly. Harry shook his head and she kissed his stomach a few more times. She went right down his abdomen and back up and Harry was just transfixed by her methodical way of doing everything. He just stroked her hair while she drenched him in kisses. They knew that a family would come after Hogwarts. Harry couldn't wait. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~* Some time later, Harry and Hermione saw the doors open and looked up. There was a boy that was throwing up and then he slumped to the ground. Hermione, who had been watching the person and saw them collapse, gasped and got up. She picked up her dress and ran over to the person. She rolled them over and was startled to see it was Draco. "Draco! Draco! Can you hear me?" Hermione said, slapping his face lightly. He moaned and his eyes fluttered. "Well I'm not deaf," he whispered. Hermione smiled and told him that Harry and her would take him to the Hospital Wing. Harry by this time had realised who it was and was giving him a hand up to get over his shoulder. Hermione was amazed. Out of all the people Harry disliked, he still would help them if they needed it. She smiled to herself and continued on with them. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~* A/N: I have a new plot line! Mind you, I really am itching to get a sequel done so I want to get this over and done with! Anyway, I think you need to disregard my last couple of A/N's because I can write maybe a few more chapters if I need to.