Chapter 9
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It was the night of the Christmas Ball and Hermione enlisted Pansy to help each other get ready. In the weeks leading up to the ball Her and Pansy grew to have a relatively close friendship much to Harry's displeasure but he was rather busy himself with Ginny Weasley. So that night Pansy and Faith who insisted on coming to arrived at the head common room dragging Blaise with them to keep Draco company. As the they stood by the portrait with various dress bags and makeup cases they giggled at how the portrait draco was presenting the miniature Hermione with flowers he clearly picked from the landscape they've been sketched in. They then muttered the password that Mione had told them and walked. Blaise immediately flopped down on the couch besides Draco who was enthralled by the football game occurring on ESPN(AN me not own duh!) and yelled out, "Go Cowboys, work it defense!" He was clearly watching a match where the Dallas cowboys were losing shamefully to the San Francisco 49ers. Pansy and Faith rolled there eyes and walked up the stairs to Hermione`s room.
Hermione was already showered and was sitting on her bed waiting for their arrival. "You know practically every girl in Hogwarts is gunna be jealous cause you're going with Draco," Said Pansy laughing at how envious some of the other girls will be.
Hermione shrugged indifferently, "Draco`s going with me and well That's not my fault or his," she said will thinking that she wished they were going together because he wanted to go with her.
" Well let's get gorgeous ladies," Said Faith trying to get Herman to smile.
A few hours later the girls were ready and one by one they descended the stairs with Faith going first. Faith was going to a Christmas party for the younger years with Dakota a slytherin first year who was Faith's best friend but he still had to suffer the third degree from Draco. Faith walked down the stairs slowly trying to adjust to her shoes they where strappy stilettos and she was a little self conscious about her dress a black mini dress with sliver weave through the material that caught the light and close link sliver chain for straps. Dakota was speechless but Draco simply said," Oh Fai Mum would be so proud, you look beautiful and if this dude her touches you inappropriately just tell me and i`ll make his life HELL," laughing at the last statement Faith knew Draco was just joking but Dakota was still nervous never the less.
Next to descend the stair case was Pansy who was wearing a simple lavender gown that clung to her curves and made her look older then she was. "wow," was all Blaise could say clearly rendered speechless.
"yeah Blaiserz is right Panz you look great," Draco said to his best friend," quite the change from when we had to go to that ball as kids and you're dress ripped from you're shoes"
Pansy laughed at the memory," Yeah well if I remember right you ended up spilling pumpkin juice all over you suit. Anyways if I look great wait till you see mione!"
As if that was her cue Hermione walked slowly down the stairs. Draco couldn't help but think she was an angel in her dress, it had a white tulle skirt that floated softly behind her and the top was tight fitting and made of white satin with small pearls sown into the fabric in an intricate design and she had somehow managed to find white satin kitten heels. Draco seemed to have lost his voice for Blaise spoke first," Wow Mione you look great"
"yeah" Draco managed to croak in agreement. Hermione giggled softly at Draco`s undignified answer and walked over to him and linked her arm with his and lead him, Pansy and Blaise to the great hall.
It seemed as if they were the last couples to arrive so they hurried to a small table for four at the back of the Great Hall and sat down waiting for Dumbledore to speak," Welcome Students, Welcome to Hogwarts` Christmas Ball I hope you have a lovely evening and now may I introduce the performer for the evening Justin Timberlake"
As soon as he announced JT`s name many of the girls went wild. All of them went wild when he walked onto the small stage area and said," Can I ask the Head students Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy to the Dance floor for the opening Dance as I Perform a cover of the Famous muggle song Aerosmith`s I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing."
Draco slowly led Hermione onto the dance area with a spotlight following their every step. When Justin started singing the opening lines Draco and Hermione started to gentle sway in time to the music with Draco Holding Hermione close to him and her head gentle resting on his shoulder with her eyes closed whispering the words. As the song finished the couple slowly, reluctantly pulled apart as the entire school body applauded except for to people who were hidden in the shadows glaring at the two and plotting waiting for their time to strike.
Hermione and Draco danced the rest of the evening but half way through the evening both were slightly breathless and Draco knew that now was the time to do it as he patted his breast pocket double checking the small red box was there. "Hermione did you want to go for a walk through the gardens with me?" Draco asked with the slightest tremor in his voice showing his nerves.
"sure, lead the way," said hermione not noticing Draco`s nerves and looped her arm through his and allowing him to lead her through Hogwarts gardens. They walked through the courtyard and away from the couples who clearly didn't want an audience, to a small rose garden with a bench. The roses had a small group of fairies in the bushes providing a soft light that dappled through the foliage. " Oh my it's so beautiful here Draco," said hermione in awe of the small garden's beauty.
"Not as beautiful as you hermione," replied Draco simply.
"huh," was all hermione could manage to say.
" ummm you had better sit down Hermione I have a lot to say, erm no actually I think this explains everything," said Draco giving Hermione the red box from his pocket. As Hermione opened the box she felt so confused but her confusion was replaced with surprise in the box lay the bracelet.
" It has fairy dust floating in it and when you feel a powerful emotion it glows," Draco explained as Hermione studied it. There was a gasp of surprise when she found that engraved on the inside surface were the words- I Love You Hermione. She looked up and saw Draco looking at his shoes clearly embarrassed and waiting for her to say something.
So Hermione stood up before draco and placed her hand on his cheek and raised his face so she could look in his stormy gray eyes and saw all the love he felt for her. She slowly inched her face closer to his her eyes fluttered close and she kissed him softly and he gently kissed back. When the broke apart Draco asked the question he dreaded to ask, "Hermione, will you be my girlfriend?"
"yes I love you so much Draco I just could never tell you because I didn't want to ruin anything," said hermione, "but we better get back case the get worried about us and the closing dance is coming up."
Draco and Hermione re-entered the hall hand in hand just as Justin Timberlake announced," Can we ask the head students back down to the dance floor for the closing dance to my cover of Van Morrison`s Have I told you lately that I love you"
Draco and Hermione now an official couple twirled and swayed to the soft melodic tune now content because they have each other but each thinking about the school's reaction because although the house no longer have a deep set rivalry never before has a slytherin and a griffyndor dated despite the friendships they have recently made.
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Thanks PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE reveiw and if you have any ideas for a conflict between the couple please and that to you're review. Flames welcome any form of feedback wanted!!!!!