Chapter 6

Hermione blinked at the masses of faces staring at them, openmouthed. Her resolve and new found bravery vanished, and she wanted nothing more than to crawl under a table and hide.

"This was your idea," Draco whispered urgently in her ear. She glanced at him and was astonished to see that he, as always, managed to look perfectly composed. "As long as we're in it this far, let's make sure they don't forget it."

Before she could say a word of protest, he whisked her onto the now very still dance floor, and began waltzing with her, seemingly oblivious to the fact that the music had stopped.

Dumbledore quickly motioned for the orchestra to continue playing as activity slowly came to the shocked room. As people began dancing and moving again, the resumed whispers and talking all revolved around the couple dancing in the center of the floor.

Hermione was shocked to realize how good it felt to be in Malfoy's arms. There was a feeling on belonging there that she hadn't felt with anyone else. She flashed a dazzling smile at him that caused his heart to turn over. He bent down lower and growled in her ear, "Want to really make a spectacle of ourselves?"

She didn't get a chance to ask what her meant before it was already very clear. He twirled her around once and then locked her into a passionate kiss.

Once again, she felt like she was drowning and wanting nothing more than to stay like that forever. Her mouth opened to allow his tongue to slip inside and she gave a low moan.

When they finally parted, she almost cried out at the loss of contact. Now everyone really was completely still. Draco threw back his head and laughed at their shocked faces.

Hermione would have laughed to if she hadn't seen Harry and Ron angrily pushing their way through the crowd towards her. Instead, her insides clenched and she hung on to Draco's arm for support.

Harry's eyes flashed with anger, while Ron's only spoke of bitter disappointment. Strange, a little voice said in the back of her head. I really would have though it would have been the other way around.

"Hermione, step away from Malfoy." Harry's voice was low and dangerous. Hermione's temper flared.

"Why should I?"

"Hermione," Harry's voice lost some of its anger and became more patronizing. Sickeningly so. ""Mione dearest, you really don't know what you are doing. It's obvious you're trying to get petty revenge on me, but I wouldn't involve this bastard if I were you. That's a little low for your childish games."

Oh fuck, he's done it now, Draco thought as the tension emanating from Hermione became nearly visible. Her head snapped up and Draco decided that he'd rather face a Norwegian Ridgeback than be in Harry's position.

"You dare to tell me what I can and can not do? You dare to patronize me and raise yourself above me?? This isn't 'revenge' Harry. This is about me being deserted by the man I thought I loved and who really just wanted me for the appearance of everything. The only reason that I don't slay you where you stand right now is because wizard kind needs you. I can only hope you'll be more loyal to your cause than to the ones you profess to love." Her eyes lost some of their glare and took on a tone of pity. "Just because everyone you loved left you didn't mean I was going to, and it didn't mean you needed to hurt me first." She turned and ran out of the hall before anyone could stop her.

Harry turned to glare at Draco.

"Stay away from my girlfriend, Malfoy." Ginny blanched behind him. Ron began, "But I thought you dump-" but Harry cut him off with a glance.

"I'm warning you, Malfoy, I'll break every bone in your body if you try and touch her again."

Draco glared back. "You think that this is actually about her, Potter? Would you really want her again if I didn't? I thought you were to busy shagging the Weasley witch to realize what a wonderful girl Hermione is. And you know what, Potter? She doesn't want you." He paused to see the effect of his words. Harry's face had turned bright red, and before Draco knew it, Harry was lunging at him.

In the ensuing scuffle, Draco managed to get a few good punches in before two teachers tore them apart.

"ENOUGH!" A voice boomed through the hall. Dumbledore strode through their midst, looking more angry than most had every seen him. "Mr. Potter, you will leave the ball. I am ashamed of your behavior. You shouldn't be fighting the one who will be fighting with you."

"But Headmaster, he's a Death eater, and he's only going to hurt Hermione, and-"

"That's enough, Mr. Potter." Dumbledore's tone was final.

Harry shot a last death glare at Malfoy before storming out of the hall.

"As for you, Mr. Malfoy," Draco felt himself quail a little as the Headmaster's gaze was turned upon him. "You should go find Miss Granger." His voice became softer. "Be gentle. She's been hurt."

Draco swallowed and nodded, before hurrying out the way that Hermione left.