AN: Oh...my...gosh. I can't believe it. I made it to 200 reviews! Well, a little over that, but that's ok!

Oh, I've decided from the beginning I'd thank one of the reviewers. I forget the name, but it was a flame review (tear...not!) Anyway, I'd like to thank you (if you're still reading this story) because you made me humble because not everyone has to like my story! I know, mystery reviewer who I can't remember your name (see, bad grammar!), that I'm an awful speller, and that's why I will never take AP language arts, as much as I love reading and writing. And about the dinner ware comment...you should know that your computer doesn't pick up those kind of errors. You know, if you were put "an" instead of "us", the computer wouldn't pick it up because it's spelt correctly, just used wrong. So, that's why I need a beta reader (I just need to hear back from a reviewer that said she'd be mine!) So I apologize for not being the perfect author. Of course, no one can be perfect, so you'll have to be satisfied with the work I submit. Everyone else is.

ANYWAY moving on past that little speed bump, and on to my story! I hope that y'all enjoy this as much as I have enjoyed writing it (lol, it sounds like I'm ending the story, but there's still another good 10 chapters or so that will come out of it!)

Disclaimer: Don't waste my time, because you know it ain't mine. (Doesn't exactly rhyme, but oh well! Sounds good!)

Hermione's wish came true. Monday and Tuesday passed uneventfully, besides the minor detail that she received a very...thorough hate note from Haley, and a dozen yellow roses with pink tips, her favorite kind, on her desk when she went into her shift for Monday night/Tuesday afternoon. And even Ron was in a better mood. He came to bring her the lunch that his mother had made and dropped off at his house for him and Sandra, with a special plate made for Hermione.

Hermione smiled wistfully as she stood from her desk, gathering her papers from her desk and organizing them in neat piles to be dealt with when she came in Thursday. She looked at her busy apprentice, who was two months away from becoming a minor Healer herself.

"Savannah, our shift is over. You can gather your things and go home now," Hermione said, running her hand through her masses of curls, enjoying that the new shampoo she had tested out (at Ginny's demand, of course) had made her chocolate tresses more silky and shiny than usual.

Savannah didn't even look up. "Yes, but I have to write down these last few notes, then I can leave. You can go on with out me, I won't be but ten more minutes," She explained, her quill scratching quickly across the parchment.

"You work too hard," Hermione said, using the phrase that Ron, Harry, and Ginny use all the time on her. Savannah gave her a faint smile before continuing her work. "Just lock up my office before you leave, and make sure that all your papers are neat." Savannah nodded mutely from her position and Hermione smiled. Her work ethics had rubbed off efficiently on her apprentice. "Have a good evening," Hermione said, and disapparated to her house.

"Where have you been?" Ginny said the minute Hermione appeared in the kitchen.

"At work..." She responded gently, seeing that Ginny was flustered.

"At work?! You're shift ended thirteen minutes ago! I need your head deciding what I'm wearing tonight!" Ginny said, her hair in rollers (a Muggle device Hermione had introduced her to, which Ginny found much more effective than the simple curl spell) and her nails with a fresh coat of mint green nail polish.

"Gin, we just picked out a beautiful dress for you yesterday at the store. You don't need my help!" Hermione said, quickly taking off her work robes to reveal clothes very similar to pajamas. Ginny wrinkled her nose and put her hands on her hips.

"Well, I just saw a pastel yellow dress in your closet that would look exquisite on me, but I already painted my nails!" Ginny explained.

"Sorry I didn't show you it earlier, but that's because I planned on wearing it myself tonight..." Hermione countered, walking determinedly to her bedroom to pull out the yellow dress.

"Oh..."Ginny said in a small voice, "it's on my bed next to the dress we bought yesterday..."

Hermione threw her hands up in defeat as she walked into Ginny's room and snagged the yellow dress from her bed, rushing to her own room to put it back on the hanger.

"Ginny, how long till they come here?" Hermione called from her room, starting up the shower.

"Exactly one hour and seven minutes!" Ginny called back.

"Perfect. It'll take me a half an hour to shower, three minutes to get the dry spell perfect on my hair, and an additional 30 minutes to do my make up and hair, with no time at all to repaint my nails," Hermione said to herself, quickly slipping out of her clothes and into the steaming shower, quickly washing away all her worries with a scent of lavender and her new shampoo.

And, being her usual self, Hermione stepped out of the shower ten minutes early than predicted.

"Perfect," She said to herself as she shimmied into her fluffy pink bathrobe and tied the tie loosely, knowing Ginny would be in her room getting ready. She casually tossed the towel that had lingered on her head on her floor and ran her hand through her wet curls. Humming to herself, she walked with a bounce to her step to the living room with the fireplace. Then and there is when she stopped in her tracks, a blood curdling scream escaping her lips.

"Hello to you too, Hermione Granger," Draco said, looking up from his Wizards Weekly Guide magazine, a small picture of Hermione and Draco in the corner.

"What...are...you...doing HERE?!" Hermione screamed, quickly realizing that the v-neck of her robe was dangerously low, causing a blush to creep in her cheeks as she tightened her bathrobe around her slim figure.

"Ginny didn't tell you? Oh, well I guess she thought you wouldn't be out right after your shower. Erm, go along and finish getting ready, I'll tell you about it later." Draco said, flipping the magazine open to the page where their date was being exploited.

"She...you...UGH!" Hermione said, stomping off to her room and slamming the door. Draco simply smirked, looking at the picture that they somehow got of all the assigned couples. The picture of himself and Hermione was one of them dancing, Draco's hand gently placed on the small of her back, Hermione's hand on his shoulder. She was smiling at Draco, the obvious pleasure sparkling in her eyes, and the blush on her cheeks due to the closeness of their bodies. Draco's smirk turned into a gentle grin, looking at the smooth composure he held in the picture as he twirled Hermione and dipped her, bringing her back up and if believable, closer.

Meanwhile Hermione quickly dried her hair in the predicted time of 3 minutes, and slipped on her light yellow dress, then quickly settling herself to do her makeup and put on the most expensive piece of jewelry she owned (probably the only piece of jewelry she owned) around her neck.

"Perfect," she murmured in self-satisfaction as she looked at her smiling reflection. Hermione quickly walked to her door and stealthily opened it, shooting straight across the hall into Ginny's room.

"Wow, Gin, that green looks great on you," Hermione said to her friend who simply smiled, her red hair in gorgeous curls cascading down her back.

"Do you think Harry will like it?" Ginny asked sheepishly, grabbing a beaded mint-green matching purse.

"He'll love it. You look like a Nymph. Seriously," Hermione said, placing a gentle hand on Ginny's shoulder.

"Thanks Hermione!" Ginny said, throwing her arms around Hermione's neck in a tight hug.

"A little emotional today?" Hermione said, pulling out of the hug after nearly being choked to death.

"Yeah. I looked at the Wizard Weekly Guide and Witches Weekly and saw him with his dates..." Ginny said, pulling out a tissue to wipe her nose.

"Oh Gin, it doesn't mean anything. Don't worry. What we have to worry about is why Draco Malfoy has been here since I got out of the shower, and why he's been sitting there for 30 minutes since then," Hermione said, causing Ginny to look down in embarrassment.

"Well, he owled me today telling me he wanted to take you somewhere before dinner, but it was a surprise. Go on, Hermione. The weather is beautiful out. I doubt you've really seen it, being at work all day and night for the past three days. I'll tell the others that you'll meet us at the restaurant. We're going to some elegant Cajun food place. Ron insisted we go to see if Draco would be...a gentleman and offer to pay for all the food since, 'he's bathing in galleons.'"

"Right," Hermione said, sighing. "Well, I guess I'd better grab my coat since it's the middle of October," Hermione said, quickly leaving Ginny's room and going back to her own to grab an elegant black coat and pulled it over her nearly bare shoulders and walked out to greet Draco, more clothing on than before.

"Hermione, you look absolutely gorgeous," Draco said politely, standing and taking her hand gently in his to bring it to his lips. Hermione felt the familiar warmth from her knuckles racing up her arm. She felt the calluses from his hand, obviously from all the Quidditch training he'd been through.

"I'm, uh, thanks, you...erm, you look pretty too. Wait! No, I mean you look great," Hermione said, spurting the words out as if she were a child. That pleased Draco immensely, causing Hermione more discomfort in the knowledge that he knew the effect he was having on her. His attire was simple, yet elegant at the same time. He wore a gray suit and jacket, a white button up shirt buttoned almost all the way, just the top button left undone, giving him the dangerous James Bond look (a Muggle actor).

"Thanks. Now, I'm presuming that Ginny just told you about my plans, so if you'd care to join me outside, our carriage awaits."

Hermione gulped. "Carriage? You mean, with horses?" She asked sheepishly as Draco opened the door for her.

"Yes, with horses. I pulled a few favors, and Alanna sent up a white Clydesdale, which are very rare, and a carriage as well as a driver," Draco explained, taking Hermione's hand and placing it in the crook of his elbow.

Hermione gasped at the sight. "This reminds me of Cinderella..." She whispered to herself in awed amazement.

"Cinder Ella? Who is she?" Draco asked curiously as he helped her into the white carriage.

Hermione shook her head. "A simple Muggle bedtime story to keep little children entertained," she explained as the Driver turned around.

"Hermione, it's great to see you!" Dave said, his familiar face alight with recognition.

"Hello Dave! I didn't expect to see you...well, ever again to be completely honest," Hermione said, extending her hand for Dave to shake, but to her utter surprise, he gently slinked it to his lips and kissed it, sending a very faint warmth to her fingers, possibly because he was holding her hand there.

Draco scowled. "Hello Dave. You have instructions, yes?" Dave glanced at Draco's look and nodded hastily. And with two clicks from his tongue, the large horse marched down the street in front of Hermione's apartment.

"Where are we going?" Hermione asked five minutes into the ride, her arm still linked with Draco's.

"Oh, you'll see," He explained, not lifting an inch of mystery.

And see she did. Hermione gasped as she saw the enchanted fountain shooting crystal clear water, water nymphs swimming around and flaunting their liquid bodies. The lights that were turned on softened the gleam from the fountain, the white rose bushes planted all around giving it a sweet aroma.

"Draco, this is beautiful," Hermione whispered as the carriage came to as stop just in front of the fountain.

"Yes, I designed it myself," Draco said, not taking a shot at being humble, as usual.

Hermione slapped his arm gently and left him, pulling her coat on tighter from the breeze being admitted by the fountain. "Everything looks so...enchanted and magical," Hermione said as a Nymph exploded from the water and broke out in a gentle song, it's pure soprano voice drifting into the air as her sisters joined in, a whole chorus of them.

"Uh, Hermione? That's because it is enchanted...and magical," Draco said, pointing out the obvious.

"Honestly, Draco, you would think that in a world where the Muggles dominate us, you'd know a little more about them. It's a term they use when something is beyond gorgeous," Hermione said, rolling her eyes.

"Then I guess I would call you magical and enchanting," Draco said, gently putting his arm around Hermione's shoulders and pulling into his side. Hermione didn't meet his gaze, which she felt on her, but felt the warmth that had spread through her body. She thought that maybe being this close to Draco would be uncomfortable, but it felt strangely right, as if she was molded to fit in his side.

Hermione turned her gaze to Draco; his gray eyes the lightest gray she had ever seen. "Who knew you could be such a gentleman?" Hermione said softly, looking up to him and shivering.

"Are you cold?" His warm, tenor voice whispered. Hermione was at a loss for words, so she simply nodded. Draco pulled her into an embrace, his arms warming her up instantly. Hermione rested her head on his chest, hearing his heart beat through his clothes and felt his lungs rise and fall.

"Draco?"

"Hmm?"

"I don't want to go to dinner. I like the way we're standing right now," Hermione confessed, looking up into Draco's face, which was merely inches away.

"How can I make it up to you?" Draco asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. Hermione smiled as he leaned down, closing the distance between them as his gentle lips met hers. Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck, securing herself for fear she may fall as Draco deepened the kiss, then gently pulled away.

Hermione kept her eyes closed, feeling Draco's breath on her neck. "That was nice," She said, grinning as Draco cupped her face.

"Now, you know I can't keep you here, let alone away from dinner because Ron would brutally murder me, not sparing me an moment of pain." Draco said, his eyebrows arched as he imagined the possible ways Ron could hurt him.

"Now, I wouldn't want Ron to do that, so let's go," Hermione said, pulling out of Draco's embrace and walking briskly to the carriage, leaving Draco a few feet behind.

"You go mighty fast when determined," Draco said when he finally caught up to her at the carriage, helping her up and getting in himself.

"Didn't you ever notice me at school when I was either about to solve a mystery or about to hold Ron back from killing you, or mentally sorting through all the curses I had to hex you to Timbuktu?" Hermione said with a grin, causing Draco to laugh out loud. Hermione had never really heard him laugh, and it was a pleasant sound.

"That's right, now I remember. It was often when I had to run from you. I feared you more than Harry and Ron combined because they don't think with their minds, they think with their fists. You, you think with your mind and could out duel me any day. But I would have never admitted it at Hogwarts. I was much too popular to be frightened of a Gryffindor," He said, sticking out his chest as if to remind himself of how proud he should still be. Hermione poked him in the stomach, causing all his puffed up air to escape.

"Well I'm personally glad I didn't hex you to death," Hermione said, smiling up at Draco, who instantly smiled in return. He gently took her hand in his and entwined their fingers, and kissed her gently on the forehead as the pulled up to their destination.

"That's the last time I'll be able to do that tonight," Draco muttered as he stepped out of the carriage and helped Hermione out. Hermione laughed and followed Draco inside the restaurant.

............................................................................................................

"Goodnight, Draco," Ron said, nearly shoving Draco into the flames of Hermione's fireplace in effort to get him to leave more quickly.

"Goodnight Hermione, thank you for this evening," Draco said, somehow dodging Ron and taking Hermione's hand and kissed it. He smiled at Harry, Ginny, and Sandra, then sharpened his grin to a smirk as he turned to leave Ron. Draco quickly grabbed a pinch of Floo powder and said clearly and audibly "Malfoy Manor."

Hermione smiled at the contorted look on Ron's face as he huffed to the couch and plopped down next to Sandra, who only laughed. "Ron, you know you're just mad because Draco offered to pay for dinner and did," Hermione pointed out, causing Ron to turn red.

"Yeah, that and you made a fool out of yourself at dinner!" Ginny said from Harry's side, laughing at the look Ron shot at her. "It's true! Everyone in the restaurant laughed when you were determined to prove to be the better gentleman, tripping over a waiter as you tried to help Hermione into her seat. That poor waiter," Ginny paused, recalling the horrified look on the waiter's face, "he tripped over you and the hot bowl of soup he was carrying went flying into none other than the Minister of Magic's cousin's brother-in-law's niece!" Ginny said, clutching her stomach as she laughed. Everyone joined in, except Ron, who seemed to grow redder by the second.

"Fine! Well, Sandra's tired and she wants to go to bed! We're leaving!" Ron said, standing up hastily and pulled Sandra to her feet.

"But I'm no—"

"Good bye," Ron said, quickly cutting her off as he grabbed the Floo powder and disappeared, quickly followed by Sandra who muttered an apology as she left.

"Well, I guess that means I'll have to head out too," Harry said, quickly kissing Ginny on the cheek and dashing for the fireplace. Within a minute the apartment was completely empty, except for Ginny, Hermione, Crookshanks and Ashes.

"So, what did Draco do with you before?" Ginny asked, plopping down on the couch and putting a pillow in her lap so that she might sit "criss- cross-applesauce" without being considered "un-lady like."

"It was wonderful! First we went on this carriage ride with a huge white horse and big white carriage and went to a fountain. It was so glamorous, breathtakingly so. There were Nymphs in it, and the place smelt like roses. Oh, and how sweet the ki—"Hermione stopped abruptly, her hands in the air (since she had been waving them around in attempts to make up the place again for Ginny to see).

"'and how sweet the' what was?" Ginny asked, a carefully crafted brow arched.

"I never did kiss and tell," Hermione said suspiciously. She then waved goodnight and walked quickly to her bedroom.

"Never kiss and tell? Oh please," Ginny muttered to herself, walking slowly to her room and touching her cheek where Harry's lips had last been. "I never kiss and tell. She always sees it while it's happening."

AN: If you've seen the movie How To Lose a Guy in Ten Days, I'm totally picturing Hermione looking like "Andy Anderson" did when she found out that "Ben" had placed a bet on her, wearing Esmerelda, the diamond thing around her neck! Just FYI! Yes, that means that I wasn't creative and didn't come up with Hermione's date outfit on my own. lol, anyway, thanks so much for all the reviews and the AWESOME stuff my Beta did!

Ok, thank-yous for this chapter

Chapter 11:

MY BETA! Foxer is awesome! Thanks so much!

Some12: aw, thanks! you've been there reviewing for a LONG time! Thanks lots!

Hermione Double: thanks, I guess I like to enforce my standards in my stories! besides the clothes. I don't wear tank tops or anything like that, or mini-skirts or nothing.

Unclear-Meaning: lol, no, Harry doesn't sneak in! But I like to imagine what else could happen when a book ends that I read, I imagine what happens to settle my needs.

Princess-Meg1415: hehe, Ginny's obsessed with green because of Harry's emerald eyes...and I just think that green associates with Harry. Like forests are green and mysterious...Harry's past is mysterious, and his eyes are green....lol, it works in my head!

Invisible2u: Thanks, I like my brain farts too...sometimes! lol, thanks for reviewing for like EVER!

Sisterhood-of-the-Snake: lol, once again, you made me laugh! Thanks a lot, your reviews make me happy!

PsYcHoJo: lol, you also made me laugh. out loud. that's funny.

Pure Sunshine: Thanks for your long review, lol, and I am ALWAYS hyper. So no need to worry.

AND FROM CHAPTER 9: (I couldn't leave you out!)
tennisplaya278: lol, I loved that part that I typed. Well, actually I forgot about that part until you reviewed, and I laughed for like 6 minutes straight. Ok, not really...

OK! So thanks for all the reviews, and even though I didn't thank EVERYONE, still know I really appericiated all of you're reviews. LOVE ya all!

VBC