Okies, yes I know I haven't updated in an age, BUT I GOT A GOOD REASON! School started, and I couldn't really fit in my story writing, but yea, I'll do it now!

OKIES! THANKS ALL REVIEWERS FOR REVIEWING! Makes me happy! Oh yes! 'Mental Institution' is getting on fairly well I'd say! 5 reviews already! YAY! Ok, thanks again, sorry for the late update, and I'll get going now!!!

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"Draco?"

He stared at her face, currently lit up with self-satisfaction.

"So your naming me after someone else? Draco?"

She looked suprised.

"Of course! Sure he wasn't the nicest person around... quite the opposite actually, he was almost the bane of my existance. Almost being the keyword that is. He tortured my friends and I, and all the muggle borns around the school, he never respected the teachers, not even Professor Dumbledore! He was known as the Slytherin Prince, and having many followers, they tortured us too. He was supposed to be Head Boy this year you know? I was supposed to share a common room with him, being Head Girl and all, but he got murdered, so yes, his off to someplace unknown, and he can torture me or my friends no longer! But I can't say the same for the rest of the Slytherins. They would most likely pick a new leader. Maybe Blaise Zabini you say? She is actually quite intelligent, and would be very interesting indeed, if it wasn't for her mean streak, don't you agree? Anyhow, we might be lucky, maybe someone dim-witted like Pansy or Goyle would be picked instead. They don't know a thing, and if the Slytherins picked them, then lets just say, instead of torturing people, they would go around fertilising everyone. Though I think I prefer torture... I don't like big tummies and screaming babies. Those Slytherins are so unintelligent with the exception of a few. But yes off the track. You do have Draco's attitude! Eh...? I mean... His sarcasm, not his sadistic ways..."

She quivered under his hard stare, backing away.

"So your saying I'm sadistic? Cruel? Possibly Evil? Well, your certainly a very nice person, are you not? Naming me after someone like him... But I guess, that if he was a great person, than I wouldn't mind all that much. If I'm named after him, than surely myself, now known as Draco, is great as well? Excellent. And a bit of advice name-giver. You ramble too much, cut down on the sentences. You tell people things that they don't even know about, so explain will you?"

She glared at him, huffing with her arms folded across her chest.

"You certainly are not great, and it is not a privilege to be named after someone like him. He's a sadist. And I do not ramble. You being yourself and not talking so much only think I ramble. You should get out more you know? Be more social, or you won't get anywhere in life. Now, you said you wanted an explanation? Well, this Draco Malfoy? I knew him since six or so years ago I'd say, and he completely messed up my first day of school. That evil idiot. Doesn't know the import-"

"Interesting, and what school is this?"

"Your sitting on its Astronomy Tower, dimwit, and its Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I'll tell you about that in a minute, but as I was saying, he doesn't know the importance of education..."

Hermione and Draco talked throughout the night, giving no thought of sleep or the rest of the school. They learned facts about the school, their lives (if Draco had one long enough that is), and anything else... while sitting under the black blanket flecked with one moon... and the many stars...

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Hermione walked happily throughout the halls of Hogwarts Castle, a slight bounce in her step as she greeted passing students when they greeted her, and headed for the Great Hall. It had been almost two months since she had met that mystery boy. It had been almost two months since she named him Draco. It had been almost two months since the Slytherins recruited a new leader, Blaise Zabini. And it had been almost two months of getting to know Draco, whom she knew pretty well so far. He hadn't lived very long (almost 2 months), she knew, but he seemed to already know alot about the world, and had hobbies, and favourites, and dislikes. It was strange, but he was strange, so she guessed it didn't matter all too much. She sneaked out every night to meet him. The thought made her giddy. Hermione? Head Girl going out on midnight endeavors? Yes, but she was discreet. No one knew about Draco yet, not even Harry or Ron. She planned to let it stay that way. She wouldn't let a word out, for the sake of Draco. That is of course, if he wanted her to keep it a secret. She was curious though, as to how she got her nights sleep when she spent it with Draco. And that was from 12 till dawn. She was sure she hadn't slept in days, probably the whole of the two months, yet she felt fresh, as if she had a good nights sleep. It was strange, but strange is the way things were in this school of witchcraft.

Hermione entered the Great Hall, looking at the enchanted ceiling. It was a peaceful night, with the stars out, winking at any passersby. It reminded her strongly of Draco. She shook out of her daze and slipped onto the bench space between Harry and Ginny with Ron across. They chatted with each other, waiting for Dumbledore to give a signal for the plates to fill with the many delicacies. An assortment of dinner.

A tinkling echoed throughout the room, catching many, if not all, student's attention. All heads swivelled towards the Head Table, where Albus Dumbledore currently stood.

"Good Evening Hogwarts. I dare say you have had an enjoyable time at school these past two months?"

He chuckled at the disgusted or disbelieving looks of the students.

"Yes, well, I thought so. The staff and I have decided, to brighten up your young spirits, by holding a Masquerade Halloween Ball."

He paused and gave everyone time to discuss it with their peers, clearly enjoying the scene of ecstatic faces about the first Halloween Ball in many years.

"It will be held, on October the 31st which from what I can see? Is a Monday. You will be given the day off to prepare for this ball. I must say, that 1st and 2nd years may not attend, as you will not be able to go to Hogsmeade with the older students to purchase your costumes. Though, I am sure you will enjoy the large Halloween Party held in your common rooms? You too, will be given the day off. Now, on the subject of Hogsmeade. All students with permission notes will be able to attend Hogsmeade this Saturday to make purchases. Robes, gowns, costumes and anything else appropriate may be worn to the ball, and do please, have a mask on that day? I happen to know a very good mask shop down in Hogsmeade myself... 'Hidden Expressions' is the name, I recall. Oh yes, and do find a partner, anyone within 3rd year or up. Anyone at all."

Hermione's eyes widened when Dumbledore looked at her. He knew. Hermione fought to be calm and smiled at the Headmaster. He chuckled and clapped his hands twice to send the food up, before sitting down at the Head Table.

Excited chattering broke out throughout the hall. Hermione could already see students making their way, which ever way it might be, over to ask someone to the ball. Yes, she was excited, but could she really ask him to be her date? Will he accept? Oh, things were so very complicated. What could she do?

Hermione sighed and stuffed a roast potato into her mouth before her eyes started watering up and she started sputtering and gasping for breath. Harry and Ginny clapped her on the back a couple of times, sending the potato out of her windpipe and onto the table. She sucked in a deep breath before calming down.

"Hermione! You shouldn't eat a potato whole! It's way too big for your windpipe!" Ginny passed her a napkin while Harry was trying to hide his smile and Ron, eating like there was no tomorrow.

"Yea Hermione. I thought you were Ron there for a second." Harry chuckled while Hermione gave him a playful punch in the stomach.

"Who would want to be Ron? He's a pig from what I can see!"

"Hey! I'm not a pig! If you valued food as much as I do, then you'd be the same!" Ron yelled across the table, showing mushy bits of food in his mouth.

"Eww! Ron! Gross! Stop talking with your mouth full! But Hermione? You okay?" Ginny glanced at her.

"Yea I guess... I was just thinking about the ball, I wasn't really paying attention. Sorry."

She gave them a weak smile before returning to her food, and face becoming thoughtful.

She wondered. She hoped he would accept. If he didn't then she didn't know who she would go with. If he didn't accept, she probably wouldn't go to the ball at all. But she couldn't just sit there, quivering in her boots about his answer, because she wasn't going to get one unless she stood up and asked him. So she made up her mind. She would ask him. No matter what the outcome, she would know that she at least, had tried to do something about it.

And hopefully?

He will accept.

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Short chappie... I'm sorry! But I've got homework to do! I'm so sorry! But I hope this chapter was enough! I will hopefully post in a few days instead of 2 weeks or however long it was.

Anyhow, hope you liked it! And yea! Thanks for reading, and er... yea! THANKS!

Snakewise (is writing two stories so is very slow)