o_O I need to take a break. Way too much writing. Well, tell me what you think. I'm very tired whilst writing this. *starts to fall asleep*
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Disclaimer: (I'll keep this simple) I don't own Harry Potter. I don't own the song.
"..." = talking
'Italics' = thinking
Italics = dreaming
Italics = singing/song
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"Hermione!" Harry and Ron looked up from their dinner at Lavender's squeal. "You're back!" She waved excitedly as the blue-haired girl made her way over to the Gryffindor table. Malfoy had gone the opposite way, to the Slytherin table, and she ginned as she could see Pansy all over him.
"Hi guys," she said simply, slipping into her seat.
"'Mione, how did you get out? You didn't make up with the Ferret, did you?" asked Ron, concerned.
"Don't worry. I still hate him." She started eating her food, trying to end the conversation. At the Slytherin table, Draco caught her eye and mouthed, 'Help me!' He gestured to Pansy, who was trying to kiss him.
"Oh, I totally forgot! Prefect meeting, duties, blah blah blah." Hermione waved cheerily to the table and then walked to the Slytherin table, picking up Katie, Roger, Terry and Hannah along the way.
"Malfoy, prefect meeting," she said in a dull voice as they reached him. Draco started to get up, but Pansy clung to him.
"Drakie, where are you going?" she whined, attempting to look sweet and adorable. Draco gave her a disgusted look.
"Away from you. Prefect meeting." He got up and joined the group, leaving a whining Pansy behind. Katie had been to see Dumbledore, and she came back with a smile.
"Back to the common room, and McGonagall and Snape will be there to go through what Dumbledore wants us to do," she ordered. They walked slowly back to the common room.
"Gods, Malfoy, Parkinson was all over you," said Terry, breaking the silence.
"Like a rash," agreed Draco. "She doesn't even want to be like that. Last I heard, she had her sights set on Zabini." He started to whistle an irritating little tune under his breath.
"So, why do you both act like that?" asked Hannah curiously. Draco rolled his eyes.
"It's a parent thing. Bloody stupid 'Only allowed to marry Purebloods' rule." He continued whistling. The tune was grating across Hermione's nerves.
"Malfoy, stop it."
"Stop what?" He continued whistling.
"Stop that annoying noise or I'll stop it for you," she threatened, but fell silent as they entered the common room. Neither of them wanted to risk being locked up again.
"Please sit down," said McGonagall as they entered. They sat in their respective chairs and looked up politely.
"This year, the Headmaster has decided to try and improve inter-house relations." McGonagall sighed. "There will be a ball at Hallowe'en, and a Yule Ball, and a dance before you return home next summer. He has made certain requests, but most of the organisation is up to you."
"That seems fair. What are the requests?" asked Katie.
"The Head Boy and Head Girl attend as a couple, as do the prefects." Snape gave them a look of disgust.
"Hey Terry, wanna go to the balls with me?" asked Hannah quickly before Hermione could jump in. Terry nodded his agreement. "Great!" Hannah smiled contentedly.
"Hannah, you did that on purpose," complained Hermione.
"Of course. No way would I turn up to the ball with Malfoy. But you two are destined to be together, and all that." Hannah smiled serenely and returned her attention to the professors.
"I wish we'd never said," mumbled Draco.
"Mr Malfoy, you will be attending with Miss Granger. The other prefects have seen to it. There is no argument." Professor Snape snatched the list of requirements from McGonagall and threw them at Katie.
"You are to write a list of what you need and what you intend to do for the two balls. You will then present it to the Headmaster at the end of next week. He will inform you of any problems, set the dates, and then allow you time in Hogsmeade to arrange matters such as outfits. That is all." Snape swept from the room, followed by McGonagall.
"Well. Now I know why they call it a 'briefing'. Think he could have said it in less words?" asked Katie, picking up the list and looking at it.
"Sure he could," smiled Hermione. "List. Go do." They all laughed.
"Well, wanna bunk of Potions this afternoon to work on it?" asked Draco. Hermione considered this for a moment.
"I'd love to ditch Divination," piped up Hannah. "And Terry would probably wanna miss it too, right?"
"I've got Arithmancy," said Roger, finally contributing to the conversation. "I'll miss it. After all, as Head Boy I have a duty to the school's activities." He smiled lazily.
"I don't see how you made Head Boy," scolded Katie. "You're just so lazy! But I'll blow off Ancient Runes to plan it."
"Great!" smirked Draco. "I'll get Dumbledore's permission, and Snape's."
"I'd better go and let Trelawny know," sighed Hannah. Terry nodded.
"Hey, Katie, Roger, why don't you go see Dumbledore? And then Hannah can take Ancient Runes, I'll get Arithmancy, Terry can do Potions and Malfoy can go see Trelawny. That way, we don't see our teachers, and can't be forced into the lesson," said Hermione sensibly.
"Good thinking, Batman," said Draco, standing. The others looked at him in shock.
"What, I can't be interested in Muggle things?" he asked defensively. They shook their heads slowly.
"It's not that. The issue is that you complimented Hermione." Katie broke the awed silence with a laugh. "Some people never cease to amaze me." She got to her feet and grabbed Roger by his robes. "We're off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of Hogwarts." She threw Roger into the corridor, and they could hear her berating him.
Hannah got to her feet next. "I'm off to Ancient Runes. Let's hope this works," she said with a smile. Terry laughed.
"Katie had that 'voice' and the 'look'. We'll get away with it. Not even Snape will insult her when she's got the 'look' and the 'voice'," he said with a grin. "Well, Potions here I come. I wonder if I can do the look too?" Hannah and Terry walked out, laughing and talking.
"I guess we'd better go too," said Hermione quickly. Draco got off his chair and walked out silently, before turning to speak.
"Um, Arithmancy is on the way to Trelawny's. Why don't we back each other up?" he suggested nervously. Hermione stared at him.
"Well, I guess so. That way I can make sure you don't mess it up," she said with a laugh. They strolled down the corridor, and headed for the Arithmancy classroom.
"So...." started Draco. Hermione laughed.
"So...." she agreed. They both looked to make sure that no-one was looking, and burst out laughing.
"Don't start with that again, Ferret face," giggled Hermione. He laughed too.
"I couldn't help it. I mean, we're stuck going to the ball. But, uh, Granger, if you don't wanna go, that's great, fine, hunkydory, 100% acceptable." He paused outside the Arithmancy classroom.
"Dumbledore'll force us to go. You know he's trying to set us up, and doing a lousy job," commented Hermione as she knocked on the door.
"Excuse me, Professor Vector?" Hermione peered into the classroom. "Roger won't be able to make this class, he's got a meeting." Draco nodded his head to back up the point, and they both gave charming smiles.
"Tell him to read page 143 for homework, then, and also please inform him that his essay was two inches short." Professor Vector smiled and shut the door.
"Great! Now you can handle Trelawny!" said Draco. "You have this sort of charm with the teachers, that makes you a teachers pet." He ducked her hand as she tried to slap him.
"I hate the miserable old bat. You do it."
"No way! Trelawny freaks me out! You can!"
"I quit Divination. You do it." They continued bickering up to the tower, and entered the classroom sullenly.
"Professor Trelawny?" Draco coughed in the heavily scented room. "Professor Trelawny! Hannah Abbott and Terry Boot are in a meeting. They won't be here. So, 'bye then." He turned to walk out, and they came face to face with Trelawny.
"Ah, the two young lovers," she said in a mystic voice. Hermione stifled a giggle.
"Excuse me Professor. Malfoy and I aren't lovers. Is the scent fogging up your crystal ball?" Draco chuckled, and he could hear laughter from the class.
"My vision does not get 'fogged up', Miss Granger," said Trelawny with dislike in her voice. "And the two pupils you mentioned can not afford to skip class for a meeting."
Draco looked annoyed. "You know what? Stuff your bloody vision. They're missing one class. Big fat bloody deal." He waved his hand and a gust of wind blew Trelawny out of the way, and across the classroom. Hermione waved her hand and a torrent of water soaked Trelawny. The class burst into applause, and Draco and Hermione left, giggling insanely.
"Nice one Granger," said Draco, almost collapsing with laughter. Hermione leaned against the wall to get her breath back.
"Yeah, I bet her Inner Eye didn't see that one coming!" They both cracked up again.
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"Where have you two been?" asked Katie as Draco and Hermione stumbled into the common room. They looked at each other and burst into laughter again, sinking to the floor. Between gasps, they described what had happened. Terry burst into loud bellows of laughter, as did Roger. Katie sank to a seat and started giggling.
"You know, this isn't really funny," said Hannah, trying to control her laughter. "We've got a meeting." She sighed, and then started giggling quietly as Draco shouted, "Her Inner Eye needs cleaning, if you ask me. Wanna soak it for her, Granger?" They all fell around laughing hysterically.
"Okay guys, calm down," said Roger, controlling himself quickly. "We've got two balls and a summer fling to plan."
"Summer what?!" shrieked Hermione, sitting up and thinking of one Muggle meaning for the word 'fling'.
"A dance, Hermione. You know, turn up, have fun, go home." They stared at her as if she'd lost her mind. She laughed and got up.
"I guess I just hadn't heard the word for a while. So, how does this sound; we plan Hallowe'en this week, until about Thursday. Yule Ball until Monday. Summer Fling until Thursday next week and present to Dumbledore on Friday." She started ticking them off on her fingers, getting organised. Hannah sat up.
"Sounds great. Come on everyone, 'round the desk." She shooed everyone over to the table, and the produced parchment and quills for everyone.
"Hallowe'en. What's that Muggle tradition of dressing up like a mattress?" asked Draco, picking up his quill. Hermione burst out laughing.
"They don't dress up like mattresses, dummy!" she cried. "They wear the sheets because of the muggle stereotypes of ghosts. Not because they think beds are scary."
"Whatever, Granger. How about a themed ball?" He turned his attention to the other prefects. Hannah and Katie looked delighted with the idea.
"That's brilliant, Malfoy! What sort of theme, though?" pondered Hannah.
"A Muggle horror movie theme," suggested Roger.
"Nope," said Hermione. "We'd have the Sweet Transvestites from Rocky Horror." Draco shuddered at the thought of Harry and Ron appearing in fishnets and stilettos. He would be scarred for life.
"A Wizard monster theme. Much more scary," said Terry eagerly.
"Nope. We'd have people taking potions and being in the Hospital Wing for weeks." Katie cut off that idea.
"A good monster theme," sighed Hannah.
"Nope. Way too perky, and not Hallowe'eny." Draco folded his arms definitely.
"A medieval theme," suggested Hermione. Everyone looked at her, not being able to come up with any immediate excuses. "So then we can ask Professor Binns to give us lessons on what sort of clothes they wore and how they behaved, ettiquette. There's a wonderful shop in Hogsmeade, they design special outfits, they could do the dresses and suits." She ticked them off on her fingers as she covered the points.
"What about food?" asked Roger, intrigued by the idea.
"Professor Binns and the other ghosts should be able to help there. Mainly big banquets, I should think."
"We could have dance classes, so people can get into the style of the Middle Ages," suggested Terry. They all looked at each other, their faces agreeing. Apart from Draco's.
"I'm not sure," he said carefully.
"Malfoy, you have no choice." The look on Katie's face was final.
"But, you have to kiss your partners hand before you dance!" he spluttered. Hermione's face changed instantly.
"Maybe it's not such a good idea, I don't want Ferret fleas."
"Hermione, you came up with the idea," said Hannah, exasperated.
"I don't care."
"We'll take a vote." Roger stood up. "All those in favour, say 'aye'."
"Aye!" chorused Katie, Roger, Terry and Hannah.
"Motion carried." He sat down, and Hermione and Draco glared at everyone.
"We won't need even a week to plan all this," said Katie thoughtfully. "We can ask the House Elves help in preparing the food. Tell them what style we need, and ask them to provide us with a menu beforehand."
"Use the same dress shop, just decide on the themes, if any," continued Roger. "Ask the professors to help in the preparation, like the dances and styles. Two Hogsmeade weekends before the balls, one to order the dress and one to pick it up."
"Music should be easy," said Terry. "Classical styles for the Hallowe'en ball. I can ask my cousin for help with the others. He's a Muggle, but he's a DJ."
"Decorations will be easy. All of us here are good at Charms. We ask Professor Flitwick to teach us a few, basic charms, and then alter the decor to suit the event," said Hannah confidently. All eyes turned towards Draco and Hermione.
"Oh alright. Medieval it is," said Hermione, giving in. "I'm quite friendly with the shop owner, I can sort it."
"Great!" Hannah had produced a Quick-Quotes Quill and it had taken down everything that they had discussed. She produced another piece of parchment and set the quill down.
"Yule ball." All eyes turned towards Draco for a suggestion.
"I do have another idea," he said slowly. "There's a Busy film about someone falling in love with a shoe." He paused as he saw the look on Hermione's face. She was sitting next to him, and staring as if he'd come down from another planet.
"Do you mean Disney?" she asked. Draco nodded.
"Yeah. Him. Well, they all have fancy dresses and cool suits. The girl runs away and the guy falls for her shoe. Or something."
"I know what you're on about," said Hannah. She got up and went to the DVD player, trying to find a film. "Katie, come help me here, I can't find it," she pleaded. Katie got up and went to look.
"What are you looking for?" she asked, rummaging in the pile of DVD's.
"I know it was here, I was going to watch it. Aha! Here it is!"
"The DVD's not working!" panicked Katie. "Dumbledore set it up so all we had to do was switch it on!"
"Let's have a look," sighed Terry and Roger, shoving the girls aside to look at the DVD player.
"Try pressing that-"
"No, put the DVD in-"
"Don't press that-"
Hermione and Draco stared straight ahead, both deep in thought. Hermione's mind was in turmoil, considering what had happened over the past few days.
'Draco said he loved me. Draco? Why am I calling him Draco? He's Malfoy! Ferret! Sexy! Why do I keep doing that? That word just keeps coming into my thoughts. OK, 'Mione, you're talking to yourself. Calm. Be calm. Admit it, you like him. He is sexy. Why try and hide it? It's probably only an animal attraction. Lust, primal need. Not love. Okay, I'm arguing with myself. When did love come into this? Do I? Do I really like him, or is it just lust? Or...something else?'
While Hermione was arguing with her mind, Draco was doing battle with his conscience.
'Come on Draco, now or never. Look, she's sitting next to you! Remember to breath. Her hand is just there, it's not like she wants you to hold it. You want to. Be strong. Be a Malfoy. Be calm...oh Merlin it's moving! It's moving over to my side of the table! Reach out, while nobody is looking. Go on, now!'
Draco's hand slowly crept over to Hermione's, and he relaxed it, letting his little finger brush Hermione's hand. Hermione looked down at it, and they both blushed slightly.
So this is love, Mmmmmm
So this is love
Hannah sat up triumphantly. "This is the film! We've found it Malfoy....Malfoy? Hermione?" They turned, and the red and green doors slammed shut.
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So this is what makes life divine
Hermione sat by the window, staring out. It was nearing the evening now, and the dusky blue sky was spotted with stars. She was confused.
"Why did I feel like that when he touched my hand?" she asked the cold night air.
I'm all aglow, Mmmmmm
And now I know
"Why were we so friendly earlier?"
The key to all heaven is mine
"Do I like him? Am I starting....to fall in love?"
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My heart has wings, Mmmmmm
And I can fly
Draco also sat by his windowsill, staring into the distance.
"I really do love her," he informed the brightest star. "I just can't change my ways enough to prove it."
I'll touch ev'ry star in the sky
"Why didn't she pull her hand away? Did she feel something too?"
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So this is the miracle that I've been dreaming of
Hermione and Draco walked to their beds and sat down, lying back.
Mmmmmm
Hermione let a smile drift across her face.
Mmmmmm
Draco closed his eyes, smiling peacefully.
So this is love
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Another chapter done! *smiles* I hope you like it!
Angelisa Snape - I hope the Dark Lord doesn't come and kill you. We'll just send an annoyed Hermione after him, shall we? But here's an update. Glad you liked the KFS part too ^_^
pupulupk - Thanks ^_^ I'm so glad you like the story.
Texas Rio Star - The fight was really fun to write. I hope it was as fun to read. ^_^
Callista Moon - Aw, thanks ^_^
Polaris the Ice Queen - Will you stop with the comments about Draco and handcuffs? Please? It's tempting me to put the rating up.
I'm off to sleep for a while. Next chapter may take a bit longer to put up, because I'm exhausted after trotting out all these. Bye! *falls asleep*
