Chapter 5

For the next few days, Hermione was in a constant state of agitation. She and Harry had come to a sort of an agreement of not talking about the breakup. They were very civil to each other, but decidedly cool. He and Ginny were now openly going out, and if Hermione had not had her secret plot with Draco, it would have hurt to see them. Now she simply laughed inside when she saw them walking hand-in-hand down the hall, and when Ron cast nervous glances at her to see if she was alright.

However, she was incredibly nervous. Every time she saw Draco in the hall or in class, her heart began to pound furiously. They still exchanged stinging words and sharp retorts. Every time they did she felt her doubt and anxiety grow. She couldn't wait for the ball, and at the same time dreaded it.

Time has a habit of sneaking up on people, and that is exactly what it did.

At lunchtime before the ball, Hermione stared down at her plate, unable to eat a single bite. She felt positively sick. What if he was just going to abandon her, or use this as an excuse? She was so worried that she barely noticed the owl landing in front of her, upsetting Ron's pumpkin juice.

Startled, she glanced up as the beautiful creature began preening. She quickly detached the note tied to it's leg and absent mindedly fed it a piece of her ham sandwich. Hermione opened the note clumsily, and as she read the contents she felt the tense feeling inside of her loosen slightly.

Meet me in the entrance hall at 8:45. We'll make a dramatic entrance and be fashionably late.

D.M.

P.S. What's your favorite flower?

Smiling, she turned the note over and scribbled a reply.

I'll be there.

H.G.

P.S. Lilies.

She attached the note to the owl's leg and sent it off into the air. Settling back in her seat, she allowed herself to eat a few hurried bites of her meal before lunch was over.

Hermione gazed at herself in the mirror and swallowed hard. Her dress robes were light rose, the soft material clinging to the curves she had developed in the past few years that no one had seemed to notice. Her bushy hair was tamed, thanks once again to magical hair care products. It fell almost to her waist in a mass of soft curls. Her eyes were brought out by light eyeliner, as were her lips with light gloss. She drew a breath to calm herself, and walked out of the dormitory.

She went through the empty common room, deserted as everyone was already at the ball. Lightly tripping down the stairs, she neared the entrance hall of the castle, and approached silently. She peered around the corner to make sure that Draco had actually shown up and that it was not a trick.

She quietly observed the young man standing with his back to her. His platinum blonde hair, no longer slicked back and greasy as it had been her first years at Hogwarts, as well as his height assured her of his identity. She steeled herself and walked into the hall.

Draco turned at the sound of her footsteps and his eyes grew wide as her surveyed the visage in front of him. Hermione blushed as his grey eyes raked every inch of her body, and self consciously smoothed her robes.

"So…" She began nervously. "You like?" She inwardly cursed herself for such a lame remark.

Draco seemed at loss for words. And breath for that matter. Then his lips curled upwards in the smirk that made him so famous.

"Perfect," he announced, before beckoning her to his side. She bristled a bit at his imperial treatment, but shrugged it off.

What was I expecting from a Malfoy anyway? She placed her arm gingerly on his, barely touching him.

"Oh for heavens…" he swiftly pulled her closer, until their arms were fully interlocked and their hips pressed up against each other. Hermione blushed as heat spread downwards.

"Ready?" He asked, gazing into her eyes. His gaze was, as ever, steady.

She cursed at herself again for coming up with this whole foolish plan, but her hesitation melted when his steel eyes locked into hers. For the first time in weeks, Hermione was without fear.

"Ready."

He grinned. Not smirked. Before she could comprehend the magnitude of difference, he had pushed open the doors and swept her into the waiting hall.

Hermione drew in a deep breath.