Hermione's POV
The days got shorter and shorter, and winter eventually arrived, along with the celebration of the 500th anniversary of Hogwarts. Hermione felt herself unintentionally avoiding Harry, and all the time getting closer and closer to Draco.
On the day of the feast and ball, all classes were cancelled, allowing the students to prepare for the festivities taking place at night. Hermione found herself and Draco, along with a few Prefects putting up decorations in the Great Hall and whipping up a menu for the dinner feast. Instead of the usual dinner sitting with one's house, the planning committee had decided that there would be small tables to seat at most six people. That way, everyone could sit with their dates, no matter if they were in the same houses or not. The DJs had also arrived, and they were discussing what songs to play, and chose all muggle songs, since the ball was muggle themed.
"How about putting that strand of lights along the back wall?" Hermione asked a Prefect.
"Sure. That would look great." The Prefect smiled and went to carry out his job.
"Ginny, would you mind charming that disco ball to spin right in the middle of the hall?"
"Creative," Ginny commented as she did as she was told.
Hermione herself climbed up a ladder to adjust the holograms of muggle singers floating above her head. She stood on her tiptoe, trying to grasp the hologram and pull it towards the right, but she lost her balance and started swaying back and forth. In a second, a pair of strong arms had steadied her. Hermione looked down to find Draco still holding onto her waist. She stepped down from the highest step, and tried to turn and climb down the ladder, but she tripped and fell against Draco. They fell backwards and Hermione felt her lips pressed against Draco's soft ones. "Ahem..." She quickly picked herself up. "Thank you for catching me."
Draco's POV
Hermione's POV
After setting up, Hermione was exhausted. "Good job everyone, we finished two hours earlier than scheduled, have fun tonight!" With that, she went back up to the dorm to take a nap before getting ready for the ball.
[3 hours later]
Hermione woke with a start. * I promised I would get ready for the ball with Ginny! * Just then, someone knocked on her door.
"Hermione? It's Ginny, Malfoy let me in, are you ready?"
"Yea, come on in." Hermione slipped off the bed and opened the door. Ginny walked in, with her dress draped over her shoulder and a bulging bag in her arms.
"Just let me take a quick shower, ok? I'll be right with you, then you can help me put on my make-up." Hermione smiled, Ginny was a miracle worker!
"Sure, then I'll do my own make-up first."
Ten minutes later, Hermione stepped out of the bathroom with her hair newly washed and blow-dried into soft waves. She twisted a section of her hair back and secured it with the pin she had bought at the jewelry store. It was plain, but dressy enough for the occasion.
"Ready?" Ginny asked, she was already in full make-up, even though she didn't have her dress on yet.
"Yea! Bring it on!"
"You are going to look so different, even Harry won't recognize you."
"That's a good thing?" Hermione laughed. "You look great Ginny, Jake is going to be stunned."
"Jake? Ha. He may have the looks, but he can't tell a bat from an owl."
"Awww. He's cute though. That's got to count for something." Hermione smiled.
"You have changed Malfoy a lot."
"Really?"
"Two 3 months sharing a dorm with you, and now he is all gentlemanly and stuff. He didn't even call me 'Little Weasel' like he usually does."
"Really?"
"Ok, done." Ginny put on the finishing touches.
"That was quick."
"You have awesome cheekbones and a beautiful complexion. All I had to do was put on some lip-gloss, outline your eyes, and dust your cheeks with some blush. No big. Take a look." Ginny spun Hermione around to face the mirror. Hermione looked at the young women in the mirror, her cheekbones were rosy and healthy looking, her eyes were big and she had long beautiful eyelashes. It took her a moment to realize that she was staring at herself.
"Is that me?" Hermione gawked at her reflection.
"Duh, who else would it be?"
"Wow."
"Yeah, Malfoy's going to be surprised."
"Thank you so much!" Hermione threw her arms around Ginny and gave her a hug.
"Ok. Ok. Hurry, let's get dressed!"
Hermione threw off her bathrobe and slipped into her dress. Then she stepped into her high heels and buckled them on, whispering a spell along the way to soften the shoes so she wouldn't have sore feet the next day. Finally, she clasped her black beaded necklace around her neck and inspected herself in front of the mirror.
"The feast is starting in 10 minutes, I've got to go get my date." Ginny rushed out of the room. "See you in the Great Hall."
Hermione stood awhile longer in front of the mirror and placing Ginny's make-up back in her make-up bag, she headed down to the common room. She walked slowly down the stairs, careful not to trip and fall. She saw Draco already in the common room waiting patiently. He looked up when she got to the bottom of the stairs. His jaws dropped down to the floor.
Draco's POV
"You look stunning," Draco whispered into Hermione's ear. Actually, he thought she looked beyond stunning. She looked like a goddess. The minimal make-up brightened her eyes and made her best features stand out. * I am going to be every guy's envy on the dance floor tonight.*
"Thank you, so do you," Hermione blushed.
"Well, let's get going, we are going to be missed. After all we are the Head boy and Head girl." Draco offered his arm to Hermione, and she took it. Together they walked out of the dorm and down to the Great Hall.
Hermione's POV
"You look stunning," Draco whispered into her ear. Hermione looked up into Draco's eyes and saw that they were very sincere.
"Thank you, so do you," she replied, blushing. Draco was dressed in a black silk shirt, black dress pants, and a pair of black leather shoes. His hair was not down like it usually was, but it was tied back, some loose strands hanging around his face. He reminded her of Weasley in the movie "The Princess Bride." [Hahaha he is hot stuff!] *I am going to be every girl's envy on the dance floor tonight.*
Hermione and Draco walked arm in arm all the way down to the Great Hall and through the gigantic pair of double doors.
"Are you nervous?" Draco asked.
"Actually, I am kind of excited," replied Hermione.
"Good, me too." Draco smiled.
Harry's POV
Harry arrived at the ball, dateless and sat at a table with Ginny and her date, Jake Swanson. He watched the doors intently for Hermione. He wanted to make sure they got to sit at the same table.
"Harry? Why didn't you ask someone to the ball, dude?" Jake asked.
"Oh, Hermione couldn't come with me, and I told her I wouldn't dream of bringing anyone to the ball besides her."
"Whoa, a perfect 10 for loyalty, dude." He reached his hand over for a high five.
Harry ignored him and sat unmoving, still watching the doors. Finally, Hermione walked in with Malfoy.
"Hermione! Over here! Hermione!" Harry called.
Hermione's POV
Hermione saw Harry waving at her to go over to a table he shared with Ginny and Jake. She looked unsurely at Draco, and when she saw him nodded, she smiled.
"You don't mind?"
"You're my date, I have to nice to you." Draco looked pained.
"Um, thanks." Hermione fiddled with her purse uncomfortably.
"I'm just kidding." His face softened into a playful smirk.
Hermione laughed and led their way to the table.
Draco's POV
*I have to tell Hermione how I feel. I can't keep in my feelings for her any longer. Today is the perfect day. I can tell her when we are dancing, and no one will be able to hear. *
Hermione and Draco walked over to the table that Potter shared with the smallest Weasley and her date. He watched in disgust as Potter kissed Hermione on the cheek and sat down next to her. Draco took the seat on the other side of Hermione, and grimaced as Potter slid his arm around her waist. They whispered a bit, and she leaned in and pecked him on the cheek. The only thing audible was her saying: "Please behave", and his replying: "As you wish."
*I thought she didn't have feelings for Potter anymore. *
Harry's POV
"Hermione, why is Malfoy here?" Harry said through clenched teeth. "Can't he go hang around Crabbe and Goyle and their dates?"
"Harry, he is my date! Give him a break." Hermione hissed back. "Please remove your hand from my waist!"
Harry sighed, "As you wish." He released his grip around her waist and took her hand instead. He felt the ring and started to roll it back and forth on her finger.
"Harry, please!" Hermione strained to keep her patience.
"As you wish." He let go of her hand.
"Thank you." She whispered, leaning in and kissing him lightly on the cheek. "Please behave."
"As you wish."
Hermione's POV
*Why is Harry being so touchy-feely? * She had only thought for a second before Dumbledore stood up and addressed the students.
"Welcome to the celebration of the 500th anniversary of Hogwarts. Please give a big thank you to the Prefects and Heads for planning this wonderful feast and ball." Dumbledore clapped, and everyone else followed suit.
When the clapping died down, Dumbledore spoke again. "The founding parents of Hogwarts would be very pleased if they could see this school now, 500 years after they found it. Now, enjoy the feast!"
The plates in front of us loaded up with piles of mashed potatoes, turkey breasts, stuffing, ham, and various sorts of vegetables. Our goblets were filled with pumpkin juice, and we began our meal.
The table was silent, except for a frequent "Dude" from Jake. Hermione decided to start a conversation, because she couldn't take the silence anymore. "So, Harry, you like the muggle band Linkin Park right? So does Draco. You guys have something in common. Isn't that wonderful?"
"Yea, wonderful." Harry didn't look too pleased.
Hermione felt Draco squeeze her thigh, and she looked over at him, wondering why he had done so.
"It's alright, I prefer to eat in silence anyways," he whispered.
She smiled and placed a hand lightly on his arm.
For the rest of the dinner and all through dessert, no one else spoke another word, besides Hermione and Draco.
"That's hilarious," Hermione laughed.
"Yea, I thought I was the king of the world," smirked Draco.
Harry's POV
*When is this going to end? Watching my girlfriend chatting with my mortal enemy is like a living hell. * Harry groaned, wishing Dumbledore would stand up and announce the beginning of the ball, but remembering that Hermione would have to dance with Malfoy anyways, he changed his mind.
Dumbledore cleared his throat and said, "I hope you all enjoyed that dinner as much as I did. Now, the ball officially begins with the Head girl and Head boy dancing together to the first song. Ms. Granger, Mr. Malfoy, please."
Harry watched as Malfoy offered Hermione his arm, and they walked to the middle of the dance floor. His eyes shot daggers at Malfoy's back. *I should be the one up there, dancing with MY girlfriend!! *
He watched as Malfoy carefully wrapped his arms around Hermione's waist and she placed her hands on his shoulder. They looked into each other's eyes, and Hermione whispered something that made Malfoy smile. The pair of them looked so comfortable with each other. He saw a sudden sparkle in Malfoy's eyes, was it a look of longing? A longing for someone that he loved? Malfoy in love with Hermione, was that even humanely possible?
The days got shorter and shorter, and winter eventually arrived, along with the celebration of the 500th anniversary of Hogwarts. Hermione felt herself unintentionally avoiding Harry, and all the time getting closer and closer to Draco.
On the day of the feast and ball, all classes were cancelled, allowing the students to prepare for the festivities taking place at night. Hermione found herself and Draco, along with a few Prefects putting up decorations in the Great Hall and whipping up a menu for the dinner feast. Instead of the usual dinner sitting with one's house, the planning committee had decided that there would be small tables to seat at most six people. That way, everyone could sit with their dates, no matter if they were in the same houses or not. The DJs had also arrived, and they were discussing what songs to play, and chose all muggle songs, since the ball was muggle themed.
"How about putting that strand of lights along the back wall?" Hermione asked a Prefect.
"Sure. That would look great." The Prefect smiled and went to carry out his job.
"Ginny, would you mind charming that disco ball to spin right in the middle of the hall?"
"Creative," Ginny commented as she did as she was told.
Hermione herself climbed up a ladder to adjust the holograms of muggle singers floating above her head. She stood on her tiptoe, trying to grasp the hologram and pull it towards the right, but she lost her balance and started swaying back and forth. In a second, a pair of strong arms had steadied her. Hermione looked down to find Draco still holding onto her waist. She stepped down from the highest step, and tried to turn and climb down the ladder, but she tripped and fell against Draco. They fell backwards and Hermione felt her lips pressed against Draco's soft ones. "Ahem..." She quickly picked herself up. "Thank you for catching me."
Draco's POV
Hermione's POV
After setting up, Hermione was exhausted. "Good job everyone, we finished two hours earlier than scheduled, have fun tonight!" With that, she went back up to the dorm to take a nap before getting ready for the ball.
[3 hours later]
Hermione woke with a start. * I promised I would get ready for the ball with Ginny! * Just then, someone knocked on her door.
"Hermione? It's Ginny, Malfoy let me in, are you ready?"
"Yea, come on in." Hermione slipped off the bed and opened the door. Ginny walked in, with her dress draped over her shoulder and a bulging bag in her arms.
"Just let me take a quick shower, ok? I'll be right with you, then you can help me put on my make-up." Hermione smiled, Ginny was a miracle worker!
"Sure, then I'll do my own make-up first."
Ten minutes later, Hermione stepped out of the bathroom with her hair newly washed and blow-dried into soft waves. She twisted a section of her hair back and secured it with the pin she had bought at the jewelry store. It was plain, but dressy enough for the occasion.
"Ready?" Ginny asked, she was already in full make-up, even though she didn't have her dress on yet.
"Yea! Bring it on!"
"You are going to look so different, even Harry won't recognize you."
"That's a good thing?" Hermione laughed. "You look great Ginny, Jake is going to be stunned."
"Jake? Ha. He may have the looks, but he can't tell a bat from an owl."
"Awww. He's cute though. That's got to count for something." Hermione smiled.
"You have changed Malfoy a lot."
"Really?"
"Two 3 months sharing a dorm with you, and now he is all gentlemanly and stuff. He didn't even call me 'Little Weasel' like he usually does."
"Really?"
"Ok, done." Ginny put on the finishing touches.
"That was quick."
"You have awesome cheekbones and a beautiful complexion. All I had to do was put on some lip-gloss, outline your eyes, and dust your cheeks with some blush. No big. Take a look." Ginny spun Hermione around to face the mirror. Hermione looked at the young women in the mirror, her cheekbones were rosy and healthy looking, her eyes were big and she had long beautiful eyelashes. It took her a moment to realize that she was staring at herself.
"Is that me?" Hermione gawked at her reflection.
"Duh, who else would it be?"
"Wow."
"Yeah, Malfoy's going to be surprised."
"Thank you so much!" Hermione threw her arms around Ginny and gave her a hug.
"Ok. Ok. Hurry, let's get dressed!"
Hermione threw off her bathrobe and slipped into her dress. Then she stepped into her high heels and buckled them on, whispering a spell along the way to soften the shoes so she wouldn't have sore feet the next day. Finally, she clasped her black beaded necklace around her neck and inspected herself in front of the mirror.
"The feast is starting in 10 minutes, I've got to go get my date." Ginny rushed out of the room. "See you in the Great Hall."
Hermione stood awhile longer in front of the mirror and placing Ginny's make-up back in her make-up bag, she headed down to the common room. She walked slowly down the stairs, careful not to trip and fall. She saw Draco already in the common room waiting patiently. He looked up when she got to the bottom of the stairs. His jaws dropped down to the floor.
Draco's POV
"You look stunning," Draco whispered into Hermione's ear. Actually, he thought she looked beyond stunning. She looked like a goddess. The minimal make-up brightened her eyes and made her best features stand out. * I am going to be every guy's envy on the dance floor tonight.*
"Thank you, so do you," Hermione blushed.
"Well, let's get going, we are going to be missed. After all we are the Head boy and Head girl." Draco offered his arm to Hermione, and she took it. Together they walked out of the dorm and down to the Great Hall.
Hermione's POV
"You look stunning," Draco whispered into her ear. Hermione looked up into Draco's eyes and saw that they were very sincere.
"Thank you, so do you," she replied, blushing. Draco was dressed in a black silk shirt, black dress pants, and a pair of black leather shoes. His hair was not down like it usually was, but it was tied back, some loose strands hanging around his face. He reminded her of Weasley in the movie "The Princess Bride." [Hahaha he is hot stuff!] *I am going to be every girl's envy on the dance floor tonight.*
Hermione and Draco walked arm in arm all the way down to the Great Hall and through the gigantic pair of double doors.
"Are you nervous?" Draco asked.
"Actually, I am kind of excited," replied Hermione.
"Good, me too." Draco smiled.
Harry's POV
Harry arrived at the ball, dateless and sat at a table with Ginny and her date, Jake Swanson. He watched the doors intently for Hermione. He wanted to make sure they got to sit at the same table.
"Harry? Why didn't you ask someone to the ball, dude?" Jake asked.
"Oh, Hermione couldn't come with me, and I told her I wouldn't dream of bringing anyone to the ball besides her."
"Whoa, a perfect 10 for loyalty, dude." He reached his hand over for a high five.
Harry ignored him and sat unmoving, still watching the doors. Finally, Hermione walked in with Malfoy.
"Hermione! Over here! Hermione!" Harry called.
Hermione's POV
Hermione saw Harry waving at her to go over to a table he shared with Ginny and Jake. She looked unsurely at Draco, and when she saw him nodded, she smiled.
"You don't mind?"
"You're my date, I have to nice to you." Draco looked pained.
"Um, thanks." Hermione fiddled with her purse uncomfortably.
"I'm just kidding." His face softened into a playful smirk.
Hermione laughed and led their way to the table.
Draco's POV
*I have to tell Hermione how I feel. I can't keep in my feelings for her any longer. Today is the perfect day. I can tell her when we are dancing, and no one will be able to hear. *
Hermione and Draco walked over to the table that Potter shared with the smallest Weasley and her date. He watched in disgust as Potter kissed Hermione on the cheek and sat down next to her. Draco took the seat on the other side of Hermione, and grimaced as Potter slid his arm around her waist. They whispered a bit, and she leaned in and pecked him on the cheek. The only thing audible was her saying: "Please behave", and his replying: "As you wish."
*I thought she didn't have feelings for Potter anymore. *
Harry's POV
"Hermione, why is Malfoy here?" Harry said through clenched teeth. "Can't he go hang around Crabbe and Goyle and their dates?"
"Harry, he is my date! Give him a break." Hermione hissed back. "Please remove your hand from my waist!"
Harry sighed, "As you wish." He released his grip around her waist and took her hand instead. He felt the ring and started to roll it back and forth on her finger.
"Harry, please!" Hermione strained to keep her patience.
"As you wish." He let go of her hand.
"Thank you." She whispered, leaning in and kissing him lightly on the cheek. "Please behave."
"As you wish."
Hermione's POV
*Why is Harry being so touchy-feely? * She had only thought for a second before Dumbledore stood up and addressed the students.
"Welcome to the celebration of the 500th anniversary of Hogwarts. Please give a big thank you to the Prefects and Heads for planning this wonderful feast and ball." Dumbledore clapped, and everyone else followed suit.
When the clapping died down, Dumbledore spoke again. "The founding parents of Hogwarts would be very pleased if they could see this school now, 500 years after they found it. Now, enjoy the feast!"
The plates in front of us loaded up with piles of mashed potatoes, turkey breasts, stuffing, ham, and various sorts of vegetables. Our goblets were filled with pumpkin juice, and we began our meal.
The table was silent, except for a frequent "Dude" from Jake. Hermione decided to start a conversation, because she couldn't take the silence anymore. "So, Harry, you like the muggle band Linkin Park right? So does Draco. You guys have something in common. Isn't that wonderful?"
"Yea, wonderful." Harry didn't look too pleased.
Hermione felt Draco squeeze her thigh, and she looked over at him, wondering why he had done so.
"It's alright, I prefer to eat in silence anyways," he whispered.
She smiled and placed a hand lightly on his arm.
For the rest of the dinner and all through dessert, no one else spoke another word, besides Hermione and Draco.
"That's hilarious," Hermione laughed.
"Yea, I thought I was the king of the world," smirked Draco.
Harry's POV
*When is this going to end? Watching my girlfriend chatting with my mortal enemy is like a living hell. * Harry groaned, wishing Dumbledore would stand up and announce the beginning of the ball, but remembering that Hermione would have to dance with Malfoy anyways, he changed his mind.
Dumbledore cleared his throat and said, "I hope you all enjoyed that dinner as much as I did. Now, the ball officially begins with the Head girl and Head boy dancing together to the first song. Ms. Granger, Mr. Malfoy, please."
Harry watched as Malfoy offered Hermione his arm, and they walked to the middle of the dance floor. His eyes shot daggers at Malfoy's back. *I should be the one up there, dancing with MY girlfriend!! *
He watched as Malfoy carefully wrapped his arms around Hermione's waist and she placed her hands on his shoulder. They looked into each other's eyes, and Hermione whispered something that made Malfoy smile. The pair of them looked so comfortable with each other. He saw a sudden sparkle in Malfoy's eyes, was it a look of longing? A longing for someone that he loved? Malfoy in love with Hermione, was that even humanely possible?