Chapter 8
Hermione was walking slowly to the Great Hall for dinner that evening and she couldn`t help thinking about what her feelings for Draco may mean and the effect they may have on their relationship. I just hope he likes me as much as I like him! That`s silly Granger why on earth would he like you when he could have any girl he wants like Parvati or Hannah Hermione argued to herself. However her thoughts left her when she stepped into the Great Hall to find that enchanted snow was softly falling from the ceiling but when it landed on you it wasn`t cold to touch and Hagrid had already hauled in the traditional 12 towering christmas trees each decorated with enchanted baubles and decorations. Harry was standing at the Gryffindor Table yelling over the usual noise and general chaos of the great hall at mealtimes to yell, "oi `Ermione i saved you a seat!" As she rushed over to where he was standing she felt someone staring at her but as she gazed around the room she noticed that everyone around the room was preoccupied with their own problems to bother noticing her so she just continued over to where Harry and Ginny where sitting waiting for her. She and Ginny were now on more friendly terms as Ginny had stopped mourning for her brother as she recently discovered he had more devious plans then merely killing Harry, Mione and her father Aurther Weasley. As they chatted quietly amoungst themselves they noticed that Dumbledore must have had an anouncment to make as he was standing before his chair in the middle of the teachers table so they turned their attention to him and waited with him as the rest of the school slowly fell silent waiting to hear what the headmaster had to say. " As much as I hate to deprive you all of the House elves delicous meals I have a very exciting announcment to make in a matter of a few days we will be holding a Christmas ball. Now i know you ladies love to have everything organized for such events however i have set aside friday`s class to have a hogsmeade day where you may all purchase a dress and boys a suit as it shall have a muggle dress code. And may I please see Draco and Hermione when they have finished their dinner?"
Draco ate hurriedly as he wanted to see the headmaster to get the meeting out of the way cause he still had Snape`s three foot long potions report to do which while it wasn`t to be graded because it wasn`t for class he always liked to give Snape his best effort. When he was finished Draco briskly said goodbye to Blaise and Pansy and rose and walked to Dumbledore`s office where the headmaster retired only a few minutes earlier. When Hermione saw Draco leave she made a move to follow him and hurried to catch up. falling in step with Draco she asked, " What do you think the meeting`s about?"
"No idea maybe Dumbledore expects us to plan a ball in two days" Draco jokingly replied. However he couldn`t help but wonder what crazy ole Dumblydore had planned for the pair skinny dip as a bonding activity for the two head students perhaps hey that wouldn`t be all that crazy in fact that would be his best plan yet Draco thought humourously. He couldn`t ponder the possiblity any further as they had reached the gargoyle statue and in unison Draco and Hermione had muttered,"Fizzing Whizzbees" and step on the first step as the Gargoyle rose in a spiral taking the two to dumbledore as they both wondered what crazy idea would they have to execute for their wonderfully aging headmaster. As the walked through the door to his office they knew they were in for Dumbledore`s craziest plan yet as his eyes had never twinkled quite like they were at that very moment nor had he ever looked so sane which anyone who knew Dumbledore knew that that was never a good sign so they sat dejectedly in the chairs in front of his desk and waited for the insanity to begin!
"I`ve asked you here merely to tell you that you shall be attending the ball together and opening the ball before you either asked or where asked by other members of the student body"Said Dumbledore slowly expecting there to be protests from the two however when none came he continued," I will also need you`re help with a few finer details but esstentially the ball has been planned."
"Of course professor myself and Draco would be more then happy to help in anyway we can," Said Hermione ever ready to help Dumbledore and be the best Headgirl Hogwarts had seen since the days on Rowena Ravenclaw`s Daughter attended the academy.
"What kind of help where you after professor," asked Draco growing more and more restless as time crawled by.
" I was merely wondering weather you wished for either a dj, The Weird Witches or a Singer i believe is called Justin Timberlake who while being a wizard is quite popular amoungst muggles." Said Dumbledore looking expectantly at the two teens in front of him.
"ohhhh! Justin definetely"said Hermione excitedly As JT was her favourite male performer.
"Sure," Said Draco who couldn`t see what was so special about his cousin because when Draco was younger he remembered how Justin`s parents had to place all these glamour charms on Justin cause he was a very unattractive child who never seemed to grow out of the 'awkward' stage.
" I also wanted to know if you could suggest some way of decorating the Great Hall," Asked Dumbledore.
" How about something simliar to the Yule Ball with the wood nymphs and Fairies," Draco suggested hurriedly.
"No we need something new how about some of Fred and George Weasley`s fireworks at the end. And as Draco Said the Wood Nymphs and Fairies but perhaps something else hmmmm perhaps enchanting muggle party decorations for the muggleborns such as balloons that continually change colour and some wizard bonbons," said Hermione after thinking for a minute or so.
"What a lovely idea Miss Granger that sounds delightful," enthused Dumbledore"That is all you may proceed to your dormentories."
Even Draco had to admit it was a great idea and sounded enchanting but even so he couldn`t wait to leave so he practically ran out of Dumbledore`s office and tore through the halls of Hogwarts back to the portrait where the illustration of himself and Hermione where already asleep and were curled up in each others arms, so he gave himself a poke so the illustration of him wake up but was careful not to wake the small drawing of Hermione. He quietly whispered the password erised which Hermione changed earlier that week, he quietly tiptoed into the living room and gently shut the portrait but slowly reopened it to allow hermione entery but placed his finger against his lips warning her to be quiet as he closed the portrait once more. All the while Hermione was giggling Madly because Draco Malfoy, Slytherin Prince without a care in the world had told her to be quiet so two portraits could sleep peacefully.After shutting the Portrait Draco moved directly to his room intending on completing his Potions Report for Snape However on the way he fingered the clear beautiful braclet he had bought for Hermione and thought to himself the ball I`ll give it to her at the ball and confess all of my feelings!
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AN Exciting stuff don`t worry heaps of conflict lies ahead i just gotta decide what the conflict will be. But PLEASE PLEASE review i really really want your feedback coz i don`t know what you want to read unless you REVIEW so please do it even if it`s one word or one hundred words i don `t care i just want opinions and what kind of direction you want this to go in. REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW did i forget anything oh yeah please don`t forget to REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!