November went by quickly for everybody at Hogwarts. All except
Harry. People had started talking to him again, being as Hermione was
friendly with him again. But he still had to endure her relationship with
Draco. The two were walking to classes together, holding hands, and
kissing each other's cheeks whenever they parted. He wanted that back
more than anything. Besides having to endure watching it, he had to endure
hearing about it as well. Everyone was talking about how the couple was so
ironic they were perfect for each other. But not only that, whenever he
walked into a room, everyone would go quiet, and give him these sorry
glances before returning back to their conversations. One Friday night at
dinner, Dumbledore stood up and the room went quiet.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Next weekend, Hogwarts will be holding a ball for the sixth and seventh year students." The students were quiet, but there were exciting glances going everywhere around the room. Harry looked over at the Slytherin table, where Hermione was sitting with Draco, and saw him give her hand a quick squeeze. They looked at each other and nodded in agreement. That was inevitable. Dumbledore carried on with his speech.
"I expect you all to be on your best behavior. Gentlemen, you will be required to wear your dress robes, ladies; you may wear dresses if you wish. You may bring someone in a lower year if you wish, but those that are not invited will not be allowed in. That is all. Bon Appetite!"
As soon as Dumbledore sat down, the whole room erupted with excited noise. All except Harry and Ron.
"Oh great." Ron said sarcastically. Another chance to embarrass ourselves Harry."
"Yes, but were going."
"Why." Ron whined.
"Because, I'm still skeptical about him."
"Oh Harry come on. Hermione knows what she's doing. If he wasn't treating her right, she'd dump him! She did to you!" Harry's face went red.
"Sorry mate. Got a bit carried away. You know me. I get excited, and I don't stop..."
"Like right now?"
"Yeah." After the two fell silent. All they could hear was buzz about weather the prized couple (Draco and Hermione, for those of you who are like me, and wouldn't get it if I didn't explain it) were going together or not. He looked over, and Hermione was sitting with him, cross- legged on the bench, him holding her hand, and her laughing.
"Oh they make such a cute couple!" Pavarti squealed, looking at the two.
"Why do they keep staring at us?" Draco whispered in her ear.
"I don't know." She answered. "Do you want to leave?" She asked him.
"Ya, lets get out of here." He took her by the hand and led her out of the great hall, trying to attract as little attention as possible.
Ginny was sitting with Ron and Harry when Lee Jordan came up to her.
"Uh, Ginny, do you want to come with me next weekend? No okay, that's alright, I'll ask someone else..." He started to mutter. He began to walk away. "Stupid of me to ask really..."
"Oi! Lee! Of course I want to come with you." She said to him. He whirled around with a big grin on his face.
"Oh, that's great!" He said, coming over and giving her a big hug, taking her by surprise. He walked off, still muttering something.
"He's so sweet!" Ginny exclaimed. Ron looked at her in disbelief.
"Oh Ron, shut your gob before a fly flies into it!" She said, stealing his apple and taking a bite.
"OI! That's mine!" He exclaimed, reaching for it. But before he knew it, he had slid off the bench and onto the floor. Everyone looked at him while his face reddened. Harry grabbed him by the front of his shirt and lifted him off the floor.
"Where's Hermione?" He asked. Ron looked over and saw that Draco and Hermione were missing. Ginny tried to get away inconspicuously, but Harry called out to her. She stopped dead in her tracks.
"Yes Harry dearest?" She said with a sickly sweet voice.
"Where are Hermione and Draco?"
"See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil." She said, turning around to leave, but Harry caught up to her and caught her arm. Ginny whirled around.
"Come on Harry, we need to have a chat." She said, this time grabbing his arm and leading him out of the great hall.
"Harry, it's over with you and Hermione. She's moved on. Now you need to as well."
"How can I move on if she doesn't know the truth?"
"She does Harry. She's afraid of falling in love with you again though. And she's happy with Draco right now. He makes her feel safe. She really cares about him."
"And she didn't care about me?" He asked anger in her voice.
"Don't pull that Harry. She was crazy about you. Just wait, things will get better." She said, giving him a re-assuring pat on the arm. She walked off and up to the common room. He couldn't get over her, not even if he tried.
That week went bye with joy. The Hermione and Draco craze still hadn't died down yet, but it was known the two were going.
"It feels like were in a zoo!" Draco said to Hermione one day, leading her by the hand down a deserted hallway one day.
"How many times do we have to tell people that yes, we are going to that ruddy ball?" She said. Draco looked at her fondly.
"Do you still want to go tonight?" He asked her.
"Oh yes. I already have my dress." She said with a proud look on her face.
"I'm sure you're going to be perfect." He said.
"Well, I had better go up and begin getting ready." She said to him.
"You have three hours!" Draco exclaimed.
"Do you have any idea how long it takes for a girl to get ready Draco?" She asked him with a smile on her face.
"Not three bloody hours!"
"I have to go, goodbye. I'll see you tonight, downstairs."
"Aren't I going to meet you at your common room?" He asked her.
"No, I want to meet you down there. I want it to be a surprise. Goodbye." She said, kissing his cheek, and running off. "Three hours?" Draco mumbled to himself as he made his way back to his common room.
Harry and Ron were the only one's left down in the common room, waiting for Hermione. Harry's robes were a deep blue, the color of the night sky. Ron's were an emerald green, one's the twins had bought him. Harry paced around the room again.
"You know, if you walk around enough, you might just make her go faster." Said Ron sarcastically, who was sitting on the sofa. Just then, Hermione appeared in the doorway. Both Harry and Ron were awe-struck. She was wearing a strapless, champaign coloured dress that had intricate bead work on the chest. Her shoes were clear, so all you could see were the little gems on them whenever a foot peaked out from underneath the dress. She was wearing teardrop earring and her necklace hung gracefully around her neck. Her hair was done up in a bun, with curls pouring out of it, and a butterfly off to the side. The glitter she had on her arms, chest and in her hair made her look like she was glowing.
"Well, what do you think?" She asked them, giving a little curtsey.
"Amazing." They both said at the same time. Hermione blushed.
"Well, you two look amazing as well." She said, almost falling down the stairs in her heels. The two boys ran and caught her before she fell.
"Will you two help me? I can't really get down the stairs easily in these." She said, looking at her shoes. The two offered her an arm, and she took one of each. With Ron and Harry escorting her, Hermione got down the stairs without falling. She was still being led by the two boys when they walked into the entrance hall. There was Draco, in a set of black dress robes. He was making his way over when he stopped. He looked at Hermione. He, like the other boys, was awe-struck. He finally looked into her eyes.
"You're, stunning." He said finally. Hermione blushed again. She let go of their arms, and gave them both a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you." She said, before taking Draco's arm, and him leading her into the great hall. Her reception there was no different. All the girls had pretty dresses on, but none of then shone like Hermione did. The whole room went silent. Even the band stopped playing. Hermione gave Draco a glance and his face split into a grin. He was going out with the most beautiful girl in the school. Do something. She mouthed at Ginny, who was looking especially pretty in a light blue gown. Ginny signaled for the band to start up again and not far after, the silence from the crowd finished.
"That was a tad bit awkward." She whispered to Draco.
"I'll say. Every guy in here looked like they may have killed me to be where I am now." He said to her. He took her carefully manicured hand and kissed it gently.
"Will you dance with me?" He asked with a cocky grin on his face.
"Why yes, don't mind if I do." She answered. He led her out onto the dance floor. The two danced together for a while. Hermione and Ginny danced together for a while. During one of these times, Draco was standing by the wall, a glass of pumpkin juice in his hand. Harry made his way over to him.
"Hi." Draco said to him.
"Are you leading her on Malfoy?" Harry asked him.
"Wonderful to see you too. Having fun?" Draco replied.
"Because I don't want you to hurt her."
"That's your job Potter. I care about her, more than I've cared about anything in a while." He said, watching her dance with Ginny.
"She's beautiful." He added.
"Is that why you're going out with her, because she's beautiful?" Harry asked him.
"No Potter. That's not why I'm going out with her. You're starting to annoy me. Why don't you go snog your ex?" Harry went for Malfoy, by Ron dragged him away.
"What would Hermione say if she saw you beating on her boyfriend eh Harry? Plus, he could kill you."
"I don't care Ron, He's going to hurt her, and it makes me angry to see something she can't."
"Well at this rate, you're never going to get her back. So stop being a prat, and come have some fun. Dance with Ginny or something." Harry and Ron walked back in and saw Hermione standing beside Draco again. She was significantly shorter this time though. Harry saw she was holding her shoes. With a wave of her wand, they disappeared. A slow song started, and the couple made their way out on the dance floor. Draco took one of Hermione's hands in his own, placed one delicately around her waist, while she put her other around his neck. She rested her head on his shoulder and shut her eyes. Draco whispered something in her ear that made her give a little chuckle. Harry sat down miserably for a few seconds, when Pavarti came over to him.
"Why don't you just go talk to her?" She said to him.
"What do I say?"
"Tell her how you feel. Just cut in, she won't mind." She told him. Harry gave her a thankful look and walked over to where the two were dancing. Everybody's eyes turned to him.
"Can I uh... cut in?" He asked. Draco looked at Hermione and she nodded. Draco gave her up reluctantly, and Harry put himself where he had been.
"I need to know something." He told her.
"Alright." She responded.
"Were you happy with me, when we were together?"
"I was extremely happy."
"Then why aren't we together now?" He asked her.
"Because I couldn't handle the thought of being with you anymore Harry. You broke my heart."
"You know I didn't want that kiss from her." He said.
"I know Harry. I just can't help the way I feel. And right now, I have feelings for Draco."
"I don't want you to be with him."
"I'm sorry. That's the way things are now Harry. Maybe, we could try again later. Right now, I need to distance myself from you, be with someone else for a while."
"I don't want to be without you Hermione. I love you." He waited for something, but she just rested her head on his shoulder. He looked down at her.
"Don't do this to me again." She whispered, a tear coming down her cheek. After the dance, she thanked Harry and walked over to Draco. She whispered something in his ear and he put his arm around her waist. The two walked outside into the cool air.
"I have something for you." He said to her, as he led her to a bench in the courtyard. The two sat down and he got out a long box, tied with a little green ribbon from inside his robes.
"What is it?" Hermione asked him.
"Open it." He responded. Hermione tugged at the string and opened the box. In it was a long stemmed, glass rose. She picked it up and examined it. Inside the rose was a little note.
"I made it for you." He said to her. "If I ever get injured, or sick, this rose will begin to wilt. If I die, (Hermione gasped) the rose will open up, and you will get the note inside." Hermione looked at the rose again.
"What if it breaks? Will you die?" She asked him.
"No. It is indestructible. Even if Hagrid stood on it, it wouldn't break. See?" he took the rose out of Hermione's hands and dropped it on the ground. He jumped on it, and it didn't break.
"Not a scratch. I'm quite proud of it myself." He said to her.
"It's...beautiful." She said to him. "Thank you."
"I've been meaning to ask you something." She said to him.
"What luv?"
"Will you come home with me on Christmas? I know it's a bit short notice, but, I want you to meet my family." Draco looked down at her.
"I would love to." He said looking at her. Hermione sat up and looked him in the eye.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course." She bent over and kissed his cheek.
"Let's go back in eh?" He said, helping her up. The two walked in, but a fifth year, Colin Creevy stopped them.
"How'd you get down here Colin?" Hermione asked. "You're in fifth year."
"I'm with the school newsletter, so I get to take pictures. Can I have one of you two together?" Draco wrapped his arms around Hermione for Colin as a flash emitted from his camera.
"Great, now I need one of you, Harry and Ron!" He said, taking Hermione's wrist and dragged her into the hall. He already had Harry and Ron waiting there. They both put their arms around Hermione's shoulder and smiled.
The hall started to clear out around midnight. Draco walked Hermione back to her house and made his way back to his. He couldn't wait till Christmas break.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Next weekend, Hogwarts will be holding a ball for the sixth and seventh year students." The students were quiet, but there were exciting glances going everywhere around the room. Harry looked over at the Slytherin table, where Hermione was sitting with Draco, and saw him give her hand a quick squeeze. They looked at each other and nodded in agreement. That was inevitable. Dumbledore carried on with his speech.
"I expect you all to be on your best behavior. Gentlemen, you will be required to wear your dress robes, ladies; you may wear dresses if you wish. You may bring someone in a lower year if you wish, but those that are not invited will not be allowed in. That is all. Bon Appetite!"
As soon as Dumbledore sat down, the whole room erupted with excited noise. All except Harry and Ron.
"Oh great." Ron said sarcastically. Another chance to embarrass ourselves Harry."
"Yes, but were going."
"Why." Ron whined.
"Because, I'm still skeptical about him."
"Oh Harry come on. Hermione knows what she's doing. If he wasn't treating her right, she'd dump him! She did to you!" Harry's face went red.
"Sorry mate. Got a bit carried away. You know me. I get excited, and I don't stop..."
"Like right now?"
"Yeah." After the two fell silent. All they could hear was buzz about weather the prized couple (Draco and Hermione, for those of you who are like me, and wouldn't get it if I didn't explain it) were going together or not. He looked over, and Hermione was sitting with him, cross- legged on the bench, him holding her hand, and her laughing.
"Oh they make such a cute couple!" Pavarti squealed, looking at the two.
"Why do they keep staring at us?" Draco whispered in her ear.
"I don't know." She answered. "Do you want to leave?" She asked him.
"Ya, lets get out of here." He took her by the hand and led her out of the great hall, trying to attract as little attention as possible.
Ginny was sitting with Ron and Harry when Lee Jordan came up to her.
"Uh, Ginny, do you want to come with me next weekend? No okay, that's alright, I'll ask someone else..." He started to mutter. He began to walk away. "Stupid of me to ask really..."
"Oi! Lee! Of course I want to come with you." She said to him. He whirled around with a big grin on his face.
"Oh, that's great!" He said, coming over and giving her a big hug, taking her by surprise. He walked off, still muttering something.
"He's so sweet!" Ginny exclaimed. Ron looked at her in disbelief.
"Oh Ron, shut your gob before a fly flies into it!" She said, stealing his apple and taking a bite.
"OI! That's mine!" He exclaimed, reaching for it. But before he knew it, he had slid off the bench and onto the floor. Everyone looked at him while his face reddened. Harry grabbed him by the front of his shirt and lifted him off the floor.
"Where's Hermione?" He asked. Ron looked over and saw that Draco and Hermione were missing. Ginny tried to get away inconspicuously, but Harry called out to her. She stopped dead in her tracks.
"Yes Harry dearest?" She said with a sickly sweet voice.
"Where are Hermione and Draco?"
"See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil." She said, turning around to leave, but Harry caught up to her and caught her arm. Ginny whirled around.
"Come on Harry, we need to have a chat." She said, this time grabbing his arm and leading him out of the great hall.
"Harry, it's over with you and Hermione. She's moved on. Now you need to as well."
"How can I move on if she doesn't know the truth?"
"She does Harry. She's afraid of falling in love with you again though. And she's happy with Draco right now. He makes her feel safe. She really cares about him."
"And she didn't care about me?" He asked anger in her voice.
"Don't pull that Harry. She was crazy about you. Just wait, things will get better." She said, giving him a re-assuring pat on the arm. She walked off and up to the common room. He couldn't get over her, not even if he tried.
That week went bye with joy. The Hermione and Draco craze still hadn't died down yet, but it was known the two were going.
"It feels like were in a zoo!" Draco said to Hermione one day, leading her by the hand down a deserted hallway one day.
"How many times do we have to tell people that yes, we are going to that ruddy ball?" She said. Draco looked at her fondly.
"Do you still want to go tonight?" He asked her.
"Oh yes. I already have my dress." She said with a proud look on her face.
"I'm sure you're going to be perfect." He said.
"Well, I had better go up and begin getting ready." She said to him.
"You have three hours!" Draco exclaimed.
"Do you have any idea how long it takes for a girl to get ready Draco?" She asked him with a smile on her face.
"Not three bloody hours!"
"I have to go, goodbye. I'll see you tonight, downstairs."
"Aren't I going to meet you at your common room?" He asked her.
"No, I want to meet you down there. I want it to be a surprise. Goodbye." She said, kissing his cheek, and running off. "Three hours?" Draco mumbled to himself as he made his way back to his common room.
Harry and Ron were the only one's left down in the common room, waiting for Hermione. Harry's robes were a deep blue, the color of the night sky. Ron's were an emerald green, one's the twins had bought him. Harry paced around the room again.
"You know, if you walk around enough, you might just make her go faster." Said Ron sarcastically, who was sitting on the sofa. Just then, Hermione appeared in the doorway. Both Harry and Ron were awe-struck. She was wearing a strapless, champaign coloured dress that had intricate bead work on the chest. Her shoes were clear, so all you could see were the little gems on them whenever a foot peaked out from underneath the dress. She was wearing teardrop earring and her necklace hung gracefully around her neck. Her hair was done up in a bun, with curls pouring out of it, and a butterfly off to the side. The glitter she had on her arms, chest and in her hair made her look like she was glowing.
"Well, what do you think?" She asked them, giving a little curtsey.
"Amazing." They both said at the same time. Hermione blushed.
"Well, you two look amazing as well." She said, almost falling down the stairs in her heels. The two boys ran and caught her before she fell.
"Will you two help me? I can't really get down the stairs easily in these." She said, looking at her shoes. The two offered her an arm, and she took one of each. With Ron and Harry escorting her, Hermione got down the stairs without falling. She was still being led by the two boys when they walked into the entrance hall. There was Draco, in a set of black dress robes. He was making his way over when he stopped. He looked at Hermione. He, like the other boys, was awe-struck. He finally looked into her eyes.
"You're, stunning." He said finally. Hermione blushed again. She let go of their arms, and gave them both a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you." She said, before taking Draco's arm, and him leading her into the great hall. Her reception there was no different. All the girls had pretty dresses on, but none of then shone like Hermione did. The whole room went silent. Even the band stopped playing. Hermione gave Draco a glance and his face split into a grin. He was going out with the most beautiful girl in the school. Do something. She mouthed at Ginny, who was looking especially pretty in a light blue gown. Ginny signaled for the band to start up again and not far after, the silence from the crowd finished.
"That was a tad bit awkward." She whispered to Draco.
"I'll say. Every guy in here looked like they may have killed me to be where I am now." He said to her. He took her carefully manicured hand and kissed it gently.
"Will you dance with me?" He asked with a cocky grin on his face.
"Why yes, don't mind if I do." She answered. He led her out onto the dance floor. The two danced together for a while. Hermione and Ginny danced together for a while. During one of these times, Draco was standing by the wall, a glass of pumpkin juice in his hand. Harry made his way over to him.
"Hi." Draco said to him.
"Are you leading her on Malfoy?" Harry asked him.
"Wonderful to see you too. Having fun?" Draco replied.
"Because I don't want you to hurt her."
"That's your job Potter. I care about her, more than I've cared about anything in a while." He said, watching her dance with Ginny.
"She's beautiful." He added.
"Is that why you're going out with her, because she's beautiful?" Harry asked him.
"No Potter. That's not why I'm going out with her. You're starting to annoy me. Why don't you go snog your ex?" Harry went for Malfoy, by Ron dragged him away.
"What would Hermione say if she saw you beating on her boyfriend eh Harry? Plus, he could kill you."
"I don't care Ron, He's going to hurt her, and it makes me angry to see something she can't."
"Well at this rate, you're never going to get her back. So stop being a prat, and come have some fun. Dance with Ginny or something." Harry and Ron walked back in and saw Hermione standing beside Draco again. She was significantly shorter this time though. Harry saw she was holding her shoes. With a wave of her wand, they disappeared. A slow song started, and the couple made their way out on the dance floor. Draco took one of Hermione's hands in his own, placed one delicately around her waist, while she put her other around his neck. She rested her head on his shoulder and shut her eyes. Draco whispered something in her ear that made her give a little chuckle. Harry sat down miserably for a few seconds, when Pavarti came over to him.
"Why don't you just go talk to her?" She said to him.
"What do I say?"
"Tell her how you feel. Just cut in, she won't mind." She told him. Harry gave her a thankful look and walked over to where the two were dancing. Everybody's eyes turned to him.
"Can I uh... cut in?" He asked. Draco looked at Hermione and she nodded. Draco gave her up reluctantly, and Harry put himself where he had been.
"I need to know something." He told her.
"Alright." She responded.
"Were you happy with me, when we were together?"
"I was extremely happy."
"Then why aren't we together now?" He asked her.
"Because I couldn't handle the thought of being with you anymore Harry. You broke my heart."
"You know I didn't want that kiss from her." He said.
"I know Harry. I just can't help the way I feel. And right now, I have feelings for Draco."
"I don't want you to be with him."
"I'm sorry. That's the way things are now Harry. Maybe, we could try again later. Right now, I need to distance myself from you, be with someone else for a while."
"I don't want to be without you Hermione. I love you." He waited for something, but she just rested her head on his shoulder. He looked down at her.
"Don't do this to me again." She whispered, a tear coming down her cheek. After the dance, she thanked Harry and walked over to Draco. She whispered something in his ear and he put his arm around her waist. The two walked outside into the cool air.
"I have something for you." He said to her, as he led her to a bench in the courtyard. The two sat down and he got out a long box, tied with a little green ribbon from inside his robes.
"What is it?" Hermione asked him.
"Open it." He responded. Hermione tugged at the string and opened the box. In it was a long stemmed, glass rose. She picked it up and examined it. Inside the rose was a little note.
"I made it for you." He said to her. "If I ever get injured, or sick, this rose will begin to wilt. If I die, (Hermione gasped) the rose will open up, and you will get the note inside." Hermione looked at the rose again.
"What if it breaks? Will you die?" She asked him.
"No. It is indestructible. Even if Hagrid stood on it, it wouldn't break. See?" he took the rose out of Hermione's hands and dropped it on the ground. He jumped on it, and it didn't break.
"Not a scratch. I'm quite proud of it myself." He said to her.
"It's...beautiful." She said to him. "Thank you."
"I've been meaning to ask you something." She said to him.
"What luv?"
"Will you come home with me on Christmas? I know it's a bit short notice, but, I want you to meet my family." Draco looked down at her.
"I would love to." He said looking at her. Hermione sat up and looked him in the eye.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course." She bent over and kissed his cheek.
"Let's go back in eh?" He said, helping her up. The two walked in, but a fifth year, Colin Creevy stopped them.
"How'd you get down here Colin?" Hermione asked. "You're in fifth year."
"I'm with the school newsletter, so I get to take pictures. Can I have one of you two together?" Draco wrapped his arms around Hermione for Colin as a flash emitted from his camera.
"Great, now I need one of you, Harry and Ron!" He said, taking Hermione's wrist and dragged her into the hall. He already had Harry and Ron waiting there. They both put their arms around Hermione's shoulder and smiled.
The hall started to clear out around midnight. Draco walked Hermione back to her house and made his way back to his. He couldn't wait till Christmas break.