Again! Thank you so much to all my readers! I've almost hit 100 and I am very pleased with that. Sadly this story is going to come to an end soon! Never fear however I have some wonderful plans for this couple. You know I won't fail you!

Pirate Gyrl: I am so pleased that you are one of my reviewers! You make me so happy everyday when I check and see you've reviewed. I really appreciate it!

NikkiEvans: Thanks for sticking to reading my story. I really appreciate your encouragement.

Livie: I love seeing new readers! I hope you're enjoying all of this. I know I enjoy reading your reviews.

Ann: I really hope that you are still reading my story. You're one of the main inspirations I have.

japanese-jew: i really wasn't sure whether or not to take your reviews as compliments or not. not that it really matters. everyone's a critic right?

I love you all so much!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

The lyrics below are from " Lying From You " by Linkin Park

When I pretend everything is what I want it to be I look exactly like what you always wanted to see When I pretend, I can't forget about the criminal I am Stealing second after second just cause I know I can but I can't pretend this is the way it'll stay I'm just (trying to bend the truth)
I can't pretend I'm who you want me to be, so I'm

(Lying my way from you)
No no turning back now (I wanna be pushed aside so let me go)
No no turning back now (Let me take back my life,I'd rather be all alone)
No turning back now (Anywhere on my own cuz I can see)
No no turning back now (The very worst part of you is me)

The ball was already in full swing by the time Harry and Serena entered the Great Hall. Harry had chosen formal black silk robes while Serena's were a deep red. They matched perfectly together. Not far behind them, Ron and Leah trailed laughing together as if they were best friends. Harry was beginning to wonder who was going to be more jealous, Ron or Hermione. Still, he wasn't about the let the woes of his friends ruin his night with Serena. She only had a little longer to be here before she left to go back to America. Deciding to start with something to drink, the two made there way to the punch bowls that magically refilled itself with pumpkin juice and butterbeer when they go low. Harry poured himself and Serena a cup and handed one to his girlfriend.

" What do you think it's going to be like when Ron sees Hermione coming over the threshold with Draco? " Serena asked quietly.

" I thought we weren't going to talk about it. " Harry replied, sipping the butterbeer.

Serena twirled her cup between her palms. " I know what we agreed but I can't help but worry. I don't want anything ruining this night for Draco and Hermione. "

" Don't worry about it right now. If things get to out of hand then we'll worry ok? " Harry smiled and kissed Serena's cheek gently.

" Alright. I'm trusting you with that. " She smiled.

" Alright. Let's dance. "

The two teens set their cups down and Serena allowed Harry to lead her onto the floor. She was faintly happy that it was a slow song at the moment and Harry wrapped his arms lovingly around her waist. She put her doubtful thoughts away and let herself float in Harry's arms on the floor. She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed softly. This wasn't going to last much longer and she had to take advantage of what little time she had left with Harry. She tightened her grip on him.

" I love you. " she whispered in his ear.

" And I love you. " He whispered back.

Draco paced in front of the Great Hall nervously. It was past eight o'clock and Hermione had still not shown up. He was beginning to think that she had changed her mind and wasn't going to be caught dead as her date. He watched as Pansy walked by with her head held high next to Goyle. He saw her eyes glance in his direction only for a second before the odd couple entered the Great Hall. Pansy was irate and Draco knew it. However, he got a sick sense of satisfaction from it, better Goyle then him. As he continued to pace, he let his mind wander to the shocked faces of students that was yet to come. They all believed that a Malfoy would never be caught dead arm and arm with a muggleborn witch. I guess now was the time to prove them all wrong. One face stuck out clearly in his head. The face of Ron Weasley. Draco was prepared for the fight that he was positive was going to start. He dreaded it actually. He wanted this night to be perfect for Hermione, but his thoughts indicated less then perfect. Still, he had to try.

" Draco. " Hermione's soft voice broke his train of thoughts and he whirled around.

" Ah, you came. I thought you weren't going to come. " Draco sucked in a breath as he looked at the girl in front of him. Her hair fell in soft curls over her shoulders and down her back. She wore the littlest bit of makeup to accent the soft aquamarine color of her gown. " You look gorgeous. "

" Thank you. You look very nice too. " Hermione replied, smiling brightly.

" Shall we then, Miss Granger. " Draco asked smoothly, holding his arm out to her.

Hermione happily obliged to take it. " We shall, Mr. Malfoy. "

Draco smiled to Hermione and led her across the threshold of the Great Hall. Just as he expected, students stopped what they were doing to stop and gape at the unlikely couple that was passing through the hall. Hermione almost giggled at the jaws of students that hung almost to the floor. Her favorite though was the infuriated look of Pansy Parkinson. She looked as though she was two seconds from pulling her wand on Hermione and hexing her into the next century. The two teenagers held their head high as the passed over to the drinks, ignoring the shocked whispers of her peers.

Ron stopped dancing with Leah as soon as he'd caught sight of Hermione walking into the hall with Draco at her side. He looked to his best friend next to him and grabbed a hold of Harry' shoulder tightly.

" Harry, please tell me I am hallucinating. Please tell me that Hermione did not just walk through the doors with Malfory. " He spoke through gritted teeth.

" 'Fraid so, mate. " Harry replied. " Would you let go, please. You're hurting me. "

Ron barely loosened his grip as Leah called his name. " Ron, come on. Just let it go for the moment. Don't start any fights. "

Ron swallowed hard. " I have to be dreaming. Hermione isn't dumb enough to be Malfoy's date. "

" She's not dumb, Ron. Draco really really likes her and asked her to the ball. She gladly accepted his invitation. " Serena interjected.

" Who was it that gave her the bright idea to do that? " Ron asked. His tone became dangerous. " Was it you, Serena. "

" As a matter of fact it was. I gave her the inspiration, she's the one that put it into action. " Serena retorted.

Ron's face went pale. " you do that? "

" Serena, please. Not now. " Harry whispered, his tone urgent. " Save it for later. "

Serena wasn't listenind. " Did you really expect her to sit around a waste away while you moved on to other girls? "

" Of course not, " Ron practically shouted. " But it's fucking Malfoy. "

" So what? If you'd actually take the time to get to know him you'd realize that he's not nearly as horrible as you've made him out to be. Do I need to remind you that he risked his fucking life to save mind and Harry's " Serena challenged, her eyes flashing angrily.

" SHUT UP! " Harry and Leah both yelled together.

Ron and Serena turned shocked expressions on their friends.

" You both need to knock it off. This is not the time or the place to be having this discussion. Ron, let Hermione have fun and deal with it later. Not in front of all these people. " Leah said firmly.

" And Serena, don't keep provoking Ron. You knew this was a bad idea and you knew he was going to react this way. " Harry finished.

Both Ron and Serena nodded silently.

" Then let's continue the night as planned. " Leah said, taking a hold of Ron's hand and pulling him aside.

Harry looked to Serena, shaking his head slightly. " I told you. Didn't I tell you from the very beginning how he was going to react? "

" I know what you said Harry but like I told him. I gave her the inspiration and she took care of the rest. I think this will be good for her, she can't sit alone in her room like a wilting flower while Ron continues to have fun. It's not fair and you know it. " Serena seethed.

" I know I know. " Harry sighed again. " Let's just worry about it later. At least let's try to have a good night. "

Serena nodded and soon they were back to having a good time as they swept along the floor.

Draco held Hermione lightly by the waist through another slow song. He particularly liked this song even if it was done by muggles. The smooth ballad of 311's " Love Song " pumped through the speakers and the two teenagers felt as if they were dancing on clouds. They forgot the looks of shock and confusion around them and nothing existed but eachother. Hermione had never in her life imagined that she would love the feel of being in Draco Malfoy's arms.

" Hermione, I wanted to apologize again. I really should have been a better person and not caused you, Harry and Ron all the grief that I did. Especially calling you a mudblood. I didn't take the time to get to know you and I misjudged you. " Draco said softly.

" Draco it was in the past. There's no point into making a big deal of it. I to misjusdged you and I apologize. Now we can start over with a clean slate. " Hermione whispered.

Draco smiled and breathed in the scent of Hermione's hair deeply. He loved the smell of her, the feel of her body pressed against his. It made him feel whole and that, he had never felt before in his life. Gently, he tilted Hermione's chin up and pressed his lips to hers softly. The two teenagers simultaneously shivered.

Ron felt a hot rush of anger as he saw Draco kiss Hermione. He trembled all over and clenched his hands into fists. He could barely deal with Hermione being within ten feet of Malfoy, but to be kissing him was a totally different ball game. A ball game he didn't have the patience to watch. Before he knew what he was doing, Ron was rushing forward, and Draco was in his path of destruction. Apparently he wasn't the only one that felt that way because out of the corner of his eye he saw Pansy Parkinson rushing at Hermione. He was glad he reached the couple first.

" What the fuck do you think you're doing, Malfoy! " Ron screamed as he grabbed the blond's shoulder and ripped him away from Hermione. " Back the fuck off! "

" Ron! " Hermione shrieked. " What the hell is wrong with you? "

Ron wasn't listening to her as his fist connected with Draco's jaw. He tuned out Hermione's pleading shrieks as he rolled around the floor with Malfoy. It honestly surprised him that Malfoy could fight back, he seemed to be such a pansy. He only stopped when he felt someone grab hold of his waist and pull him off of Malfoy.

" Ron get a hold of yourself. " Harry shouted at him. Ron struggled against Harry's grip but Harry held his best friend tight. " Let it go, mate. Just let it go. "

" Fuck that! What right does she have to be kissing Draco Malfoy. One of her most loathed enemies! " Ron shouted.

" Just as much right as you have to date other girls! " Serena screamed at him. " You leave them alone. "

" You stay out of this. This is between me and Hermione. " Ron seethed.

" No it's fucking not, Ronald! " Hermione shouted.

Everyone around them stopped talking at once and turned surprised faces on Hermione. Harry found it a little frightening at how angry Hermione looked.

" How dare you! How dare you try and tell me who I should and should not date! You're the one that broke up with me and that was your final decision! I don't tell you who you can and can't date and I don't expect you to tell me. It's not at your discretion by any means. I chose to date Draco of my own volition and believe it or not he's a great person. If you would have the same philosphy of giving people a second chance then you'd see that he's not who you thought he was. " Hermione's dead calm look sent a chill down Harry's spine. She didn't scream or yell or even cry. She was a picture of control and that, in Harry's mind, was worse then anything.

Ron's jaw nearly hit the floor at Hermione's words. He couldn't admit defeat to Draco Malfoy but Hermione had been one of his best friends for years. Right then and there he was stuck in a predicament like never before. Swallowing his pride or never again speaking to Hermione. The silence the surrounded the little group was almost overwhelming.

" So what's it going to be, Ron? " Hermione asked. " Can you accept my decision to date Draco, or is this the end of our six year friendship? "

Ron looked around him. Everyone was expecting an answer. " I'll have to think about it. " He barked angrily. With that, he turned on his heal and stormed out of the Great Hall. He knew it wouldn't be long until the professors caught up with him for detention but at this point, he didn't much care. He settled in the shadows of the courtyard and wiped the blood off his face. He was having a hard time suppressing his rage from the choice Hermione had given him.

Serena frowned deeply at Ron's answer right before he left the hall. The disappointment was evident in Hermione's eyes even if she didn't outwardly express it. It was almost heartbreaking to see Hermione have to deal with the reprecussions of her actions. She almost felt guilty about helping Draco to ask Hermione to be his date. She sighed heavily as she helped Harry bring Draco to his feet and bring him to the hospital wing to heal the cuts and bruises he had recieved. Hermione was in close pursuit to them with her head hanging, eyes focusing on the floor in front of her. She wasn't sure what she'd done and maybe she should have thought thing through.