Disclaimer: I do not own any part of HP! I do not own the song mentioned below. It is the work of the wonderful country artitst reba mcentire (did I spell her name right?) and I cant take credit for it!

P.S. Ashley I absolutely love you! You rock gurl! We've got to do something before this summers' over!

More Then Just a Ball:

Hermione stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her and stared contemplatively at her hair that was hanging in wet ringlets. She had just taken a long warm bath that left the soft scent of sweet peas lingering on her skin. It was Saturday, and the ball was to begin that night at eight o'clock and would run until midnight. So there she was standing in front of the mirror trying to decide what to do with her honey colored locks. After she had screamed at Draco she had run to the library and thrown her heart into planning an amazing ball. She had made sure that every single detail was perfect. The music, the lights, the decorations, the food, even the attire would be something special. She had arranged as special outing to Hogsmeade for all the years with Dumbledore two weeks ago so that the students could visit the new muggle clothing shop that advertised that they, "could fulfill all your muggle clothing needs." After a few more moments of contemplation she placed her wand tip close to her head and closed her eyes. She formed a picture in her mind before she quietly spoke a few words and instantly felt the water leave her hair and opened her eyes. Now when she gazed in the mirror her hair was dry and two long pieces had been pulled back from the sides of her head and were clasped together in the back with a small silver star that glittered, in addition her long honey locks fell in soft ringlets, not a single hair out of place. Returning to her bedroom she slipped into the royal blue gown that she had bought in Hogsmeade. It was strapless and had small stars printed on it that sparkled as she moved. Slipping on a pair of silk slippers that matched her dress she turned and studied her reflection in the mirror that stood in the corner of her room. As a last touch she applied a shimmer of silver eyeshadow as well as a touch of clear lip gloss and she was satisfied. She looked perfect. Glancing at the clock she had ten minutes to get down to the Great Hall for hers and Draco's grand entrance. She made her way down to the main staircase her feet making a soft padding noise and her gown swishing as she walked. She reached the bottom of the staircase to see Dumbledore standing by the doors to the Great Hall with Professors McGonogall and Snape and Draco by his side. Draco was dressed in a black tux that made his white blond hair stand out and his screaming gray eyes swept over her widening in surprise at what he saw. Hermione looked stunning as she descended the wide marble staircase and stopped before them in her gown of royal blue that shimmered with every movement. He saw her look him over with those honey colored eyes and for a moment their eyes locked and he thought he felt something stir within him. But in the next instant it was gone, it evaporated when Dumbledore cleared his throat and announced that they had done a very fine job organizing the ball and it was now time to make their entrance and have the first dance. So Draco stood by Hermione's side and offered her his arm that she took gingerly in hers. She was nervous – he could tell. Her arm felt as stiff as a board and she had a sort of nevous smile that looked like it was plastered on her face.

"Relax,"

he found himself saying gently as the doors opened and he realized that they were supposed to be walking through them into the dark hall before them that was illuminated by soft candlelight. He gently pulled her forwards and felt her follow his lead. As they entered the room he felt the eyes of all the students on them. When they reached the center of the room the band began to play from a stage that had been placed at the front of the hall. Hermione had devised a way to have the likeness of the artist that the DJ had picked appear on the stage so it looked like they were really there which made it possible to have muggle artists and groups play.

The next thing Hermione knew she was letting Draco lead her into the middle of the darkened hall and he was bowing to her and she felt herself sink into a graceful curtsy. He took her hand in his and placed his other hand around her slender waist as the soft strains of a song filled the air.

At a diner down on Broadway they make small talk
When she brings his eggs and fills his coffee cup
He jokes about his love life
And tells her he's 'bout ready to give up
That's when she says,
"I've been there before
But keep on lookin' '
cause maybe who you're lookin' for is...
"Somebody in the next car
Somebody on the morning train
Somebody in the coffee shop
That you walk right by everyday
Somebody that you look at
But never really see
Somewhere out there is somebody
Across town in a crowded elevator
He can't forget the things that waitress said
He usually reads the paper
But today he reads a strangers face instead
It's that blue-eyed girl from two floors up
Maybe she's the one maybe he could fall in love with
Somebody in the next car
Somebody on the morning train
Somebody in the coffee shop
That you walk right by everyday
Somebody that you look at
But never really see
Somewhere out there is somebody
Now they laugh about the moment that it happened
A moment they'd both missed until that day
When he saw his future in her eyesInstead of just another friendly face
And he wonders why he searched so long
When she was always there at that diner waiting on
Somebody in the next car
Somebody on the morning train
Somebody in the coffee shop
That you walk right on by everyday
Somebody that you look at
But never really see
Somewhere out there is somebody
As they began to dance Draco felt Hermione relaxing in his arms. He listened closely to the lyrics as they moved in time to the beat across the hall Hermione's dress making a soft swishing sound and glittering as they floated across the floor. Draco watched her face as the smile became less forced and more contented. He loved the way her hand felt so soft and small in his. About half way through the song the rest of the couples started to move onto the floor but Draco hardly noticed. He pulled her a little closer and once again something awoke within him. Except this time there was no doubt like there had been that day in the carriage or earlier in the hall. In a way it frightened him but it also made him feel blissfully happy. Draco had then had the scariest thought of his entire life. It was scarier than learning that he would be expected to become a death eater…he was falling in love. At that particular moment Hermione realized that the floor had filled with other couples. She listened carefully to the last of the song that she new was by a muggle country artist, having grown up a little bit of a country girl herself. Granted she had never done the cowboy hat and boots thing but she had liked the music they played on the radio. It had been so long since she had listened to the twang of a country guitar and really felt totally and completely secure and at home. As the two danced the night away the she thought that she might actually be beginning to like Draco. Sure it wasn't like they were going to be best friends from now on but as she made her way back to her room at midnight she couldn't help but think that something had definitely changed though she wasn't sure quite what it was and she still was pondering the idea when she slipped between the nice warm sheets on her bed and drifted into a wonderful dream filled sleep tonight had been more than just a ball…