A/N: Alright, and here we go again. I had a bunch of ideas for this chapter come to me this weekend, unfortunately, I can't remember all of them. So...I will try my best to make it a good one.
Chapter 6: Will you?
Hermione was laid out on the floor of her Head's common room, several books and pieces of parchment around her. She had completely lost track of time after diving head first into her homework straight after work. Every now and again, her mind would wonder out of reality and the image of Blaise staring at her from across the Great Hall during breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday for she answered shortly as she rolled up her parchment and placed it carefully into her school bag.
"Oh, well, it's Thursday," said Draco, "I figured we still hadn't met yet, and we better get to work on the Halloween Ball, what do you say?"
Hermione nodded her head slowly, "Yes, we probably should, let me clean up my school work and we can get started.
Twenty minutes past when Hermione came out of her room. She had gotten a bit more comfortable, choosing to slip into her pajama pants and her white tank top, her favorite sleeping attire. With several pieces of parchment, a quill in hand and her e's essay," she answered shortly as she rolled up her parchment and placed it carefully into her school bag.
"Oh, well, it's Thursday," said Draco, "I figured we still hadn't met yet, and we better get to work on the Halloween Ball, what do you say?"
Hermione nodded her head slowly, "Yes, we probably should, let me clean up my school work and we can get started.
Twenty minutes past when Hermione came out of her room. She had gotten a bit more comfortable, choosing to slip into her pajama pants and her white tank top, her favorite sleeping attire. With several pieces of parchment, a quill in hand and her wand behind her ears, she took a seat at the oversized arm chair in front of the fire.
"You're going to lose an ear if you do that," quipped Draco, "that's awfully dangerous."
Hermione huffed, "I am a bit more careful than some, I do it all the time, now, should we get started?"
Draco nodded, "Yes, now, about the decorations, best leave that up to me. My mother always asked me opinions on such matters, I feel I have become quite good at it. I thought I would-what? Why are you laughing?"
Hermione was in a silent fit of laughter, causing Draco to have a small twinge of happiness. She's got dimples when she is laughing. He had never been this close to her to before to see this. Hermione hiccupped out a response, "N-nothing, it's nothing," she slowly calmed down, "Alright, we will let you do the decorations. Now, in regard to refreshments-"
"No, I am not satisfied with that answer. You obviously found something pretty funny in me talking about decorating."
"No, I won't say, you will just get mad at me," she said defiantly, "We really need to finish this, now we can make a list for the house elves and-Malfoy, where are you going?"
Draco had stood from the couch and was headed to his bedroom, "I want to know why you were laughing, just tell me and we can finish this meeting."
"Oh, don't be so childish, it's just, oh alright," she fidgeted slightly, "It was funny, you, Draco Malfoy, interested in interior design, and well, I just a," she began to laugh, "an image of you-"she couldn't talk anymore. She was laughing even harder.
Draco smiled, "So, basically, I sound like a fairy? Is that what you are saying," he asked trying to contain his laughter. What he had said earlier was replaying in his mind, he did seem to enjoy talking about it a little too much.
Hermione nodded, "Uhuh."
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An hour had now gone and went. Both Hermione and Draco were pleased with the work they had accomplished. There were four full parchments with ideas and lists of food, decorations and music selections.
Hermione stretched back slowly and yawned widely, "I am beat, I will see you in the morning," she gathered her papers and quill and made her way to her room.
"Goodnight," muttered Draco who was hunched over a parchment on which he was writing down the final touches to the refreshments menu.
Hermione was about to turn the knob to open her door when he spoke again, "Er-hey Granger?"
Hermione turned around to see Draco looking over at her, a sort of innocence in his eyes, her heart skipped just a bit, "Hmm?" she managed to mutter.
Draco put the parchment down and stood, "Well, I was wondering, if, are you going to the Ball? I mean, of course you are, um," Draco let out a nervous laugh, "Um, well, then I will see you there cause," he stopped quickly and looked around nervously trying to think of something to say. Suddenly a voice came into his head, 'what is wrong with you? You are being pitiful!' he looked over at Hermione who had a looked of confusion on her face, "We did good, you know tonight. No bickering, that's good."
Hermione was staring at him in awe, what had just happened? "Um, yes, it was alright."
"Right, well," Draco gathered his things and headed to his room, "Goodnight Granger," and without another glance at her he disappeared behind the door.
"What the hell was that about?" Hermione said to herself.
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"Ron, take me to the ball."
Ron stopped kissing the gape of Pansy's neck and looked up at her, "Um, are you sure it's not too soon? You know, for people to know?" he asked nervously.
Pansy frowned and sat back out of his arms, "Are you ashamed of me Ron?" she asked quietly.
"What? No, not at all! Why would you say that?"
She shrugged, "Well, it's your idea that we sneak off every night. So no one sees us. Some day's I just wish we could walk together, hand in hand, for everyone to see. It's not fair to me, to have to hide how I feel about you, how we feel about each other."
Ron grabbed her hand, "Pansy, I just am not sure this school is ready for a Gryffindor and Slytherin couple. It would be the first and well, I am not sure I, we want the ridicule."
Pansy pulled her hand from his and stood, "No, I can't do this anymore. Either you are happy to be with me or not, I won't do this."
"But Pansy, I-"
She swept past him and ran out the Astronomy tower door to leave Ron sitting there by himself, the moon the only source of light. He leaned back against the stone wall and closed his eyes. He was being selfish and he knew it. He hadn't meant to get so attached to Pansy, but it had happened. Since the first night they had stumbled up to the Tower and shared their first kiss. As much as he wanted to deny it, he had true, powerful feelings for Pansy Parkinson.
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When Hermione woke the next morning, she could hear Draco leave the tower. She thought back to the night before and remembered how strangely he was acting just before they went to bed. She got out of bed and got dressed, still pretty tired. Her and Draco had been up until at least one in the morning.
She was making her way down to the Great Hall for breakfast when Ginny came up behind her, scaring her half to death, "Ginerva Weasley! Never do that again, you scared the hell out of me," screamed Hermione as she stopped walking to catch her breath.
Ginny laughed, "Sorry Herm, just messing with you. Have a good night?" she asked as they began walking again.
"I am so tired. Malfoy and I stayed up until one!" exclaimed Hermione.
Ginny raised an eyebrow, "Really, so how was it? Is he as good as I've heard?"
It took Hermione a moment before she realized what Ginny what talking about, "Gin! That is horrible! We stayed up meeting about the Halloween Ball."
"Oh is that what they call it these days," chirped Ginny as she elbowed Hermione in the arm.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Ginny, Malfoy is the last person I would want to do that with. That is just wrong in so many ways."
Ginny laughed and the girl continued towards the Great Hall. They entered and joined Harry and Ron who were already halfway through their pancakes and sausage, "Thanks for waiting for me you guys," whined Ginny as she took a seat next to Harry.
"Sorry baby, but Ron practically kidnapped me," said Harry as he tilted his head to Ron, "Said he would eat my arm if I didn't come with him."
Ron laughed with his mouth full of pancake, spewing several pieces onto Hermione, "orry ermione," he murmured.
Across the hall Draco was trying to avoid a conversation with Blaise, who seemed to by trying to get some advice from him, "So mate, should I go ask her now, or wait till class, or should I pull her aside in the halls? Hey, are you listening to me?"
Draco broke his eye contact with his breakfast and looked over a hopeful looking Blaise, "Hmm? Sorry, who are you talking about?"
Blaise rolled his eyes and leaned in closer, "Granger you knut head, when should I ask her?"
Draco tried to hide his frustration, but at the same time was wondering why this was still bothering him, "Do what you feel like, mate, I don't care. It's your life."
Blaise slapped a hand to Draco's back, "Great, then I will do it now."
Draco dropped his fork, "What!? NO, not now!" his voice had risen ten times louder.
Blaise laughed, "Like you said, it's my decision," he stood from his seat, "wish me luck."
Draco grabbed at his robes, "No, not now, don't ask her."
But it was too late, Blaise had tugged free and was already halfway to the Gryffindor table. Draco put his head in hands and watched cautiously through a small slit between his fingers.
Hermione was taking a bit of her pancakes when she noticed Ginny's eyes following something behind her. She looked at her curiously, but she soon figured it out.
"Hello all!" said a cheery male voice.
"Hey Zabini," said Harry quickly followed by Ron and a friendly nod.
Hermione didn't move from her eye contact with Ginny who was turning bright red trying to control any laughter. Hermione decided at that moment, it was a mistake to tell her about the daily staring Blaise had been giving her. She then felt the bench give a little as he sat next to her, "Morning Granger, nice morning, isn't it?"
Hermione took in a deep breath and turned towards him, meeting quickly with his piercing blue eyes, "Er-yes beautiful. Good morning Blaise."
Blaise smiled and Hermione felt her heart start to beat faster, "Listen, said Blaise, I was thinking," his eyes never left Hermione's, not caring of the audience they had acquired, "What do you say you accompany me to the Halloween Ball?"
Hermione's heart nearly jumped into her throat. She stared at him in shock and looked around to the faces of Harry and Ron who looked to be in utter shock themselves, and then to Ginny, who's smile could not have been wider. She gave Hermione a reassuring nod.
Hermione looked back to Blaise, who looked to be getting a bit more nervous with her hesitation. After a long while, Hermione opened her mouth to answer him, "Well..."
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A/N: Hahahah! I still got it in me...A mean, mean cliffy! I am so cruel. I enjoy this so much. R&R puh-lease!!!
Love you all!!!!
