Sorry for the delay in the update, but I had a mild case of writers block. I'm over it now. I never knew how great marshmallows were for recovering.^_^

Oh, and someone asked why Dumbledore's eyes are always twinkling. In the books, JK Rowling always describes Dumbledore's eyes, and so I'm taking the mickey in a gentle, loving way.

And for those of you who love arguments, here's another for you. This is the beginning of the end of the huge arguments, but never fear. We still have Draco's sarcastic, witty comments. Don't you love him?

~          *           ~

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. I don't own the song.

"..." = talking

'Italics' = thinking

Italics = dreaming

Italics = singing/song

~          *           ~

"Hermione!" Terry hammered on the door to the bathroom the next morning. "Get out of there! You've been in there for ages!"

"Terry, what's all the noise for?" asked Hannah, sleepily emerging from her room. Draco also opened the door to his.

"Yeah Boot, why're you waking us all up?"

Terry pointed his finger at the bathroom door. "She's been in there for hours. I woke up at six o'clock. She was already in there. Its half past seven now, and she's still in there!" He glared at the door and kicked it. "What's taking so long?"

"Leave this to me," said Draco calmly as he pushed Terry out of the way of the door. He waved his hand and a loud squeal came from the bathroom. Minutes later, an annoyed Hermione opened the door.

"Malfoy! I'm gonna kill you for that!" she hollered. "That was not funny! I was trying to take a shower! I did not need the water turning so cold!"

"Yeah? How long does it take you to shower?" asked Terry, annoyed. "We've got lessons starting at nine. We've got to arrange times for sorting out the other balls before lessons. I've been waiting for an hour and a half! At least now I can finally get to use the bathroom." He walked past Hermione, and stared at a closed, locked door.

"Malfoy! Get outta there now!"

Hermione and Hannah giggled and disappeared into their rooms. Terry looked around and groaned.

"Why me?"

~          *           ~

"Morning Hermione!" chirruped Ginny as Hermione reached the Gryffindor table.

"Morning Ginny. Why're you so perky this early in the morning?" Hermione quickly drunk a glass of pumpkin juice and poured another.

"Oh, just Ron and Lavender are finally being open about their relationship. You don't know, do you?" At Hermione's blank face, she continued. "Ron and Lavender have been seeing each other for over six months now. I don't know what it is, but there's something in the Weasley gene that makes them conceal their girlfriends." She was referring to when Percy had hidden the fact that he had a girlfriend.

"It's fear," answered Hermione with a smile. "They fear that the Weasley females will dislike their choice." She giggled and grabbed a piece of toast. "But I'm happy for them."

"Yeah." Harry announced his presence by stealing Hermione's toast. "They make a cute couple." He sat down - next to Ginny, Hermione noticed, and gave them a cheeky smile.

"Harry, don't ever do that again. I'm not at my best in the mornings," she said, also noting Ginny's blush.

"Right-o 'Mione," he grinned.

"What's put you in such a good mood this morning?" asked Ginny curiously. Harry grinned.

"Potions is over for another week. Snape went mental yesterday. And it wasn't at me." He looked at Hermione sadly. "You are in for it big time next time he sees you." He sighed and then grinned. "And Neville's got detention for a week. Blew up his cauldron and made everything that the potion touched turn pink. Including Snape. He wasn't very happy."

"Snape? In pink?" Hermione's face went blank. "Even my mind can't handle that." She smiled happily. "What've we got today?"

"Transfiguration, DADA, Care of Magical Creatures, and double Divination," groaned Ron, appearing behind Harry. Hermione grinned.

"I told you two years ago that you should give it up." Her lecture went unfinished as the post arrived. Hedwig fluttered down with a letter for Harry. In front of Hermione, a copy of the Daily Prophet fell.

"Oh good," smiled Hermione, unfolding it. She then gave a shriek, which was echoed around the hall.

On the front page, her face stared up, smiling and waving. Next to her was a picture of Draco, smirking and waving with two fingers.

The headline read, ELEMENTALS FOUND AT HOGWARTS.

All over the Great Hall, faces were turning to stare at her and Draco. Whispers started up, growing louder as the article was read, and then an explosion of noise. Hermione's eyes scanned the article.

Shocking revelations at Hogwarts! read the sub heading.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizadry is the home to many famous witches and wizards, the article ran. Now, it is the home to two more. The two students above, Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger, have been revealed as the fabled Prince and Princess of the legendary race, the Elementals. These two people, thought up until now to be a myth, are the ones destined to restore peace to the Wizarding world.

Hermione refused to read any more. It was someone at the school. Someone at Hogwarts had betrayed them both, and now the whole world knew. Now they were both in serious danger.

"Tell them I'm not coming to lessons today," she said urgently, grabbing her bag and sprinting up to the common room, newspaper in hand. 'A couple of quick spells should determine who sent the article,' she thought, 'and then, it's party time.'

~          *           ~

"Damn it!" cursed Hermione, not bothering to apologise. None of the spells had traced the author of the article.

"There's some stupid person in this school who has put both Malfoy and myself at risk, and I can't even find out who they are!" She was getting extremely frustrated, and threw the paper at the Slytherin portrait, alarming Draco, who had just opened it.

"Any luck?" he asked quickly, worried. When she shook her head, he sighed.

"I just got an owl from my father. He's not happy." Draco threw down the parchment in his hand. Hermione picked it up and read it quickly.

Draco.

The Dark Lord is extremely pleased with what has been revealed. He wishes you to be initiated. You will return home immediately and prepare to join his leagues. You will also bring the Mudblood Princess. If she refuses to join, she will be killed. I will not accept anything less, and you too will be killed if you do not comply. I expect to hear from you with your answer

"That's horrible!" Hermione dropped the parchment as if she had been bitten. "We should go and speak to Dumbledore about this. He'll know what to do." She sighed. "I thought I was safe here. I guess I was wrong." She sounded afraid.

"Don't worry Granger. I'm not going. I've never wanted to be a Death Eater." The risks of being who they were had just got worse, and he was in no mood to argue with her. "Dumbledore will keep us safe. He'd better, the dull git."

"Hermione!" Katie's voice came from the Gryffindor portrait hole, and she climbed into the common room. "Dumbledore's given you two the day off lessons. He's also told Hannah and Terry to come along, and you four are to finish the plans for the Yule Ball and the Summer Fling, okay? I've got to rush, Snape'll kill me if I'm late. Bye!" She had sprinted through the common room while speaking, and now disappeared, letting Hannah and Terry in.

"Now how can we go?" asked Hermione quietly as Hannah and Terry stared awkwardly at them.

"Abbott, Boot, you don't have to treat her like a princess. She's still the know-it-all Granger," drawled Draco, trying to make them stop staring.

"And he's still the Amazing Bouncing Ferret," snapped Hermione quickly. Terry laughed nervously, and Hannah sat down at the table.

"We'd better finish these plans," she said in a businesslike way. "Then you two can take them to Dumbledore." Somehow, she understood the need for them both to meet with the Headmaster.

"Well, I think that Malfoy had an idea," said Terry, sliding into a seat next to Hannah. "Cinderella."

"Sindy who?" asked Draco, as he and Hermione took a seat. Hannah had produced a piece of parchement.

"Cinderella. That film you were on about," she added, seeing Draco's blank look. "With the shoe."

"Ah, that one. Well, I thought, the girls wear that type of dress, and the boys in those type of suits. Y'know, the torpedos."

"Tuxedos," murmured Hermione absently.

"Exactly." Draco folded his arms and smirked. "What do you think?"

"Hmm." Hannah stared dreamily into space. "We could give it an icy look. With a mist at floor level, just like they have in all the films, and blue lighting when dancing." She sighed happily.

"We could decorate the trees in silver," started Draco. He looked around the group. "And coat the armour with ice, to make them fit the theme. Food can be like it was at the last ball." He smirked at the shocked looks he was getting.

"Yeah." Terry recovered from the shock of a Malfoy contributing. "Muggle music, a mixture of slow and dance music," he continued. "Christmas Day, we have an early lunch, throw everyone except Dumbledore and Flitwick out of the Great Hall, and get busy with the icy charms."

"Yeah," sighed Hannah again.

"I can sort the clothes," contributed Hermione. We need a trip to Hogsmeade next week. I know that there's a quidditch match between Ravenclaw and Slytherin on Saturday, so the weekend is out."

"We should stick to the same jobs for each of them. That way, nobody gets confused." Hannah came out of her reverie and stared at the parchment. "You would think that planning takes longer."

"It does." Hermione grinned. "This is the easy part. The hard part is conveying what we want in Hogsmeade, getting Dumbledore to agree, and then setting it all out."

"True," said Terry. He stared at the parchment. "And explaining to the House Elves what we want without them stuffing food down our throats."

Draco smirked. He was getting bored. Time to liven things up.

"Fifty points from Gryffindor for insulting a magical species."

"Oh no." Hannah gestured to Terry, knowing what was coming. "You put Malfoy's points back on, I'll do Hermione's. Fifty points to Gryffindor. Maybe Dumbledore won't notice."

"One hundred points from Slytherin for being a ferret!"

"One hundred points to Slytherin for being a ferret," said Terry quietly. "Here we go again."

~          *           ~

In the Great Hall, the professors had gathered for a meeting. They were interrupted by the noise coming from the giant hourglasses which kept track of the house points. The rubies and emeralds for Gryffindor and Slytherin were quickly emptying and refilling. Dumbledore sighed.

"Not again."

~          *           ~

"Five thousand from Gryffindor for not looking good in leather!"

"Five thousand to Gryffindor for not wearing leather." Hannah and Terry were replacing the points as soon as they were taken off.

"Ten thousand from Slytherin for having your head up your ass!"

"Ten thousand to Slytherin for having your head up your ass," said Terry, trying not to attract the attention of Hermione and Draco.

"Fifty thousand from Gryffindor for not being sexy!"

"Fifty thousand to Gryffindor for not being sexy," said Hannah dutifully.

"One hundred thousand points from Slytherin for being an ass!"

"One hundred thousand points to Slytherin for being an ass," whispered Terry.

"Five hundred thousand from Gryffindor for not having perfect hair!"

"Five hundred thousand to Gryffindor for not having perfect hair," Hannah said quietly.

"One million from Slytherin for having an ego the size of Mars!"

"One million to Slytherin for daring to take Hermione on twice," muttered Terry.

"Five million from Gryffindor for not being me!"

Hannah laughed out loud, attracting their attention. "Five million to Gryffindor for not being him," she giggled. Hermione and Draco stopped and stared at her.

"Can you two take a time-out? We've still got a Summer Fling to plan." She held up the parchment meekly. "Either that, or we just stick to a Muggle style disco, and you two sort out your issues."

"I don't have anything to sort out with her," sneered Draco. Hermione shot him an icy glare.

"Like I'd sort anything out with the ferret. I've squashed bigger things than him."

Hannah quickly scribbled 'Muggle disco' at the bottom of the parchment, and held it out. "All the plans are here. Hermione, you and Malfoy take this to Dumbledore."

"Fine," glowered Hermione. She snatched the parchment and stormed out.

"She said for both of us, Granger. Let someone important take it."

"The last person to say something like that to me was Snape, and he ended up soaked, and then char grilled. Want me to do the same?"

"Oh get over yourself, Granger."

"I will if you get a reality check."

"A what?"

"A medical check-up from the neck, up."

Hannah closed the portrait on their bickering. "Will those two ever be friends?" she asked Terry, who shrugged. "Come on, let's get to lessons." She grabbed her bag and headed for Charms.

~          *           ~

"Mint Humbugs." The gargoyle moved aside, and Hermione and Draco stepped on to the moving staircase.

"I hope he likes the plans," said Hermione distantly. Draco nodded.

"I hope he knows what we can do." They stepped off the staircase and entered the Headmaster's office.

"Professor Dumbledore, we've brought the plans for the dances," said Hermione politely, elbowing Draco in the stomach before he could say an insult.

"Ah, splendid. I do hope there's nothing wrong with Mr. Malfoy."

"No sir, he's just winded. He'll be fine." She held out the parchment. "We will need a day or two in Hogsmeade to organise this. We will also require some of the teachers to alter their teaching plans slightly, so we can gain the necessary knowledge for the balls."

"Granger, don't be so analytical. Professor, what do you think?" Draco straightened up and waited for an opinion as Dumbledore read through their plans.

"Ah, excellent! I will arrange a trip to Hogsmeade for the six of you. I will let you know when it will be. Is there anything else?"

"Yes, sir." Draco held out the letter from his father that had been tucked into his pocket. "What do we do about this?"

"I had been expecting something after the article in this morning's paper." Sighing, he took the parchment and read it. "I do believe that the game has now changed," he said quietly.

"Game? What game? This isn't a game. You-Know-Who kills. That's not funny. I don't see the game in that," said Hermione quickly. Dumbledore stared at her.

"It was a metaphor, Miss Granger."

"Oh." Hermione fell silent as Dumbledore folded up the letter and handed it back.

"I am making discreet inquiries into who wrote the article. Until I find out, you two shall stay here. You will only go into Hogsmeade once I know it is safe for you to do so, and you will stick together. You two are two of the people who will bring about Voldemort's downfall."

"You've said that already!" snapped Hermione, biting her tongue to keep polite. Draco, recognising the danger signs, backed outside and listened at the door. "You also said to read the legend. Well sir, I'm sorry, but it just isn't happening! If I wanted a ferret I'd buy one! There is no way that I would ever fall in love with him!"

"Miss Granger, I think differently. You will, eventually, move from denial into acceptance, and succumb to your emotions. And it will not be long. Mr Malfoy is a very deep character, Miss Granger-"

"I'd like to make him even deeper! By throwing him into a bottomless pit!" interrupted Hermione.

"He has many faces. I believe that he has already revealed another side to you. I also believe that you know why he took Veritaserum on the journey here. But I will not ask, until you are ready to tell. Miss Granger, you are an intelligent and powerful witch. You are a great threat to Voldemort. He, too, knows the legend. He will be after you, and you must be ready. For the past five years, with your help, and the help of the Weasleys, Mr Potter has defeated Voldemort time and time again. Now, it is your turn. I have not asked you for much since you have joined the school. Now I ask you to do this."

"But, but I can't, Professor, I'm not strong enough." Hermione's rage had been caused by her fear, and now her fear was taking over. "Harry is much braver than me. So is Ron, and Ginny is. I'm just the girl with her nose stuck in a book. I can't do anything. Even Malfoy is better than me, more capable of beating You-Know-Who." Her face was frightened, and she stared at Dumbledore, pleading with him.

"I am sorry, Miss Granger, but this is something I cannot help you with. Remember the legend. The Children, of Light, Love, and Hope. They will also help you, and lend you strength. But this is something that, ultimately, you must do. I am afraid that I must order you to do this."

"But I can't, sir, I can't do it." Hermione was shaking with tears, her fear evident. "I'm so afraid, I'm not strong enough. I'll be all alone against You-Know-Who, and he'll be the stronger person." She sniffed and tried to hold back her tears. "And then he'll win." She hid her face in her hands as Dumbledore stood up.

"It pains me to do this, Miss Granger, but if you are not capable of this, then you will never succeed. If you can not swallow your fear and change it to strength, then you can never go very far."

"I've got this far, haven't I?" Hermione was crying now, and she had curled up on the floor.

"Miss Granger, return to your common room and think this over. If Voldemort wins, you will die, your friends, your family. Do you wish for that to happen? To be responsible for this?"

"I'm already responsible. Sir, you're putting the weight of the world on my shoulders, and then asking if it's heavy. I know what I have to do. But you constantly going on about it is not helping!" Hermione stood up shakily. "I don't know how I sleep at night! I have dreams where I lose, and all my friends are dead, my family, dead around me, and he then lets me live so I have to feel the pain!"

Dumbledore didn't move from his desk, and simply stared at her calmly as she continued.

"How do you think I can cope with this? I'm supposed to be thinking of my birthday, not saving the world! I'm not Superman! I can't lift cars and rip gates from the wall, I can't fly, and I don't wear Spandex! How can I save the world?" She ran from the room in tears.

Outside, Draco hid, and stared sadly as Hermione went past. He winced as she fell down the moving staircase, blinded by her tears, and he then watched her go.

"It pains me to do this, Mr Malfoy." Dumbledore stood next to him. "But she is denying that she exists, she is denying her powers. She is denying the truth because she is afraid. I must ask you to help me. She has become increasingly edgy, is missing her classes, and is constantly arguing with you. You must help me. We must make her face up to, and get over, her fears."

Draco stared after Hermione, and he knew what to do.

"Sir, I know what the problem is," he said quietly. "She's afraid of loving me."

~          *           ~

Hermione was curled up on her chair in the common room. Her gold blanket was thrown around her shoulders, and her blue hair hid everything from her view. For hours she had been sitting there, crying.

A small click announced the presence of somebody else, and some music filled the air.

There's such a sad love

Deep in your eyes, a kind of pale jewel

Open and closed within your eyes

I'll place the sky within your eyes

A hand was placed on hers, and a comforting arm wrapped around her shoulders.

There's such a fooled heart

Beating so fast in search of new dreams

A love that will last within your heart

I'll place the moon within your heart

"Don't cry, Hermione." It was Draco. He lifted her chin and smiled. "I'm here for you."

As the pain sweeps through

Makes no sense for you

Every thrill has gone

Wasn't too much fun at all

But I'll be there for you

As the world falls down

Hermione stared up at him. "Why are you being nice to me?"

He wiped her tears away.

Falling

(As the world) Falling down

Falling in love

"You remember what I told you on the train?" he asked, as if it explained everything. She nodded.

I'll paint you mornings of gold

I'll spin you Valentine evenings

Though we're strangers till now

We're choosing the path between the stars

I'll leave my love between the stars

"But, I thought you were lying, after the way you treated me," said Hermione in a whisper. "I can't love you. I don't care what you say. We're not meant to be together."

As the pain sweeps through

Makes no sense for you

Every thrill has gone

Wasn't too much fun at all

But I'll be there for you

As the world falls down

"Hermione, nobody is here. They won't be back for ages. Humour me. Let me be happy. And, let yourself. Don't be afraid of what others think. They've never stopped you before."

Falling

(As the world) Falling down

Falling

"But what if I can't do it? What if I can't beat You-Know-Who?" She stared up at him, no longer caring who he was, just in need of comfort and reassurance.

As the world falls down

Falling

Falling

Falling

Falling in love

As the world falls down

(down) Falling

Falling

Falling

Falling in love

As the world falls down

Draco paused, and the tilted his head in a cocky manner. "You can do it," he smirked confidently, but gently. "You can do anything you put your mind to, remember?"

"I can't. I'm not strong enough."

Falling

Falling

Falling

"This coming from the girl who fried the most hated and feared teacher in the school?" he asked. "Everyone's heard of you torching Snape. They all respect you. They think you're capable of anything. All you have to do is convince yourself."

Makes no sense at all

Makes no sense to fall

Falling

As the world falls down

"This doesn't sound right, coming from you," she said with a quiet laugh, her tears stopping. Draco smiled.

"You'd prefer me to be nasty?" He remembered Dumbledore's advice. 'Show her who you truly are.'

"No. I like you being nice." Her voice was so quiet, he had to lean closer to hear it.

Falling

Falling

Falling in love

As the world falls down

"Well cheer up, then." He picked up her hand and waved it around playfully, making her laugh.

"What?" he asked.

"I would never have believed it if people told me you would be sitting here, now."

(down) Falling

Falling

Falling in love

"I know," laughed Draco. "It's so strange. But, I want to help. Even if you don't love me, thats fine. I still want to help you get rid of You-Know-Who."

Falling in love (love)

Falling in love

"Thank you, Mal-no. Thank you Draco." Hermione leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Draco, seeking comfort. "Thank you for helping me."

Falling in love

Draco hugged her back. "You are most welcome. Don't ever let the batty old coot get to you." They laughed, and Hermione pulled away just enough to look up at him.

Falling in love

"He's right, though. You are a deep person," she whispered as the song finished.

Another voice startled them from their little moment.

"What's going on here?"

~          *           ~

Oooh, that felt good, leaving a cliffhanger like that. ^_^ It means I won't be getting writers block, because I have somewhere to carry on from. Next chapter sees more Harry/Ginny. I hope. If I remember. ^_^

Oh, and the song is by David Bowie, and it's called, "As The World Falls Down." I found it appropriate, as Hermione was on the verge of a breakdown. I'm being cruel to her, aren't I?

And don't worry, Hermione was just needing comfort, and friendship. No romance, yet. That's in chapters to come. The next chapter will finally contain the truce. ^_^ Finally!

Blue Rose - The fainting was due to shock. There shouldn't be any (well, much) more. I'm glad you think it's funny ^_^ Have you noticed in the books, JK always makes references to Dumbledore's eyes? This is my way of gently and lovingly poking fun at it.

Princess of Darkness - Hi ^_^ I'm glad I cleared that up for you. Draco was acting kinda dense....lol. And, well, he's a teenager. He wants to bed her too, probably. I'm trying to make it realistic, and thats why he comforts her in friendship in this chapter. She'll be back to hating him next chapter. I;m trying to make them friends first. It's hard to do. Do you think it's ok so far?

pupulupk - Thanks, and I'll try and read your story. ^_^

Polaris the Ice Queen - LOL. I knew somebody would mention the Rocky Horror part. And keep away from the handcuffs. And ice cream. You need help.

F75 - Thanks!

willowfairy - Medieval dresses are really pretty, and I love that era too. A ball will be amazingly difficult to write...

firequeen1414 - I hope you find them sweet at the end of this chapter too. ^_^

Melanie Sydney and Summer Sue - Hell yeah he is. Thanks for saying that about the story too ^_^

Diana Faeroe - Is your computer working now? I hope it does! And don't worry about them!

*phew* Another one over! Sorry for how long it took!