A/N: I would like to start off by sharing some of my wisdom, scary as that is (and if you would rather, you can just skip straight to the fic, because you will not miss out on a thing by doing so). My concern is Draco. Normally, I read a lot of Hermione/Draco fics. I enjoy them, but I do not have a clue as to why I enjoy them. Draco's character is often the star of these fic, and a very worthy character for a breakaway act. Sometimes, I worry that my version of Draco is not playing the part, that "the real" Draco would never do what my Draco has done in this situation. I have to take a breath and tell myself that it is ok. Let's think this through for a minute

Draco is straightforward. He is going to tell you what he thinks. In this case, he is going to tell Hermione that he loves her. Draco is dedicated. He is not just going to give up, if you have not noticed. Draco can play nice with the other kiddies, when he is not worried about his hair. I think that those few qualities make up for what I have taken liberties with. And if you have ever seen Nurse Betty, Morgan Freeman's character falls in love with the character that he is tracking down and learning a million things about.

I am glad that many of you are open to my story, and each and every review is appreciated. If there is something that you do not like, please tell me in a constructive way. If there is a chance that I can do better, I will try as hard as possible to fix any mistake that I make. I do write, and as a writer, I am always trying to hone my skill. And if you read this, I am completely amazed and you are a stronger person than I.

Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns much of what you read. I would not be writing this without her wonderful characters. I used Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (you'll know where). I'd also like to thank one of my friend's for being Ron's muse during Spirit Day.

Please review!

Chapter Eleven: Halloween Ball

Hermione finished hanging the poster up. She and Ron were decorating the Gryffindor common room before the other students woke up. It was Spirit Day and all students were asked to dress in house colors to support their Quidditch teams.

"I think that we're done. Now we just have to wait for everyone to wake up."

Ron put the paints and brushes back in their containers. "No, I have to go get ready."

"Wait...what's going on?"

Ron shook his head and winked at her. "You'll see." He walked up the stairs to his dormitory.

Hermione was hungry, so she walked down to the Great Hall with the rest of her house. There were few students who showed school spirit. Luna had earrings that flashed 'Ravenclaw' and 'Quidditch' every few seconds. Emma and Peter wore their house colors. Everyone sat down to enjoy a nice quiet breakfast—or so they thought.

The Gryffindor sixth year boys walked into the Great Hall. They walked in a straight line so that their bare stomachs spelled out 'Gryffindor' in bright red and gold paint. Ron had one half of his face painted red and the other half gold. He also had two pompoms and a cowbell.

Ron alternated taking a bite of food with ringing the cowbell. It got so annoying that even Dumbledore was about to hex Ron into oblivion. Harry motioned towards the other sixth years in the vicinity. They all gave slight nods.

At once, Harry, Hermione, Dean, Seamus and Neville tackled Ron and took away the cowbell. Ron started to pout so Hermione gave him gold glitter.

"Ooooooh...shiny..." was Ron's only response.

"Ron, you are so immature!" Hermione stood up. "I think that it is time for class, though I doubt any of you will be paying attention. I don't think Professor Dumbledore took into consideration that Spirit Day might be a distraction." She shouldered her bag and walked out of the Great Hall.

Harry, Ron and the other sixth years followed her out to Care of Magical Creatures. Hagrid was waiting for Slytherin and Gryffindor students next to a giant bonfire.

"Why hello, Harry. I do like what yeh've done. I'm sure Ron and yeh'll be needin' the spirit." Hagrid chuckled and turned to the fire. Hermione watched him tend it. That was when she figured out what the lesson was about.

Hagrid turned to the student. "All righ', everyone take a seat. You won't be handlin' anythin' just yet. Today's lesson is on salamanders. Can anyone tell me abou' em?"

Hermione's arm shot upwards.

"Yes, Hermione?"

"The salamander is a small fire-dwelling lizard that feeds on flame. Brilliant white, it appears blue or scarlet depending upon the heat of the fire in which it makes its appearance."

"Very good. Five points ter Gryffindor. Can someone tell me how they survive outside a fire?"

Draco remembered Hermione quizzing him on salamanders for O.W.L. examinations. He raised his hand. All of the Slytherin students collectively gasped; after all, Draco had tried to get Hagrid fired.

"Yes, Malfoy, did yeh have a question?"

"No, sir, I wanted to answer your question."

Hagrid looked confused. It took him a minute before he told Draco to go ahead.

"Salamanders can survive for six hours, but only if they are fed...pepper?"

"Correct Malfoy. Five points ter Slytherin."

Hermione smiled at Draco. "Hey, you're learning something."

Draco laughed back.

Hagrid started to remove the salamanders from the fire. The class split up into groups of four. Harry, Hermione, Ron and Neville tackled one salamander. The end of the lesson was marked by Crabbe and Goyle getting burnt by their salamander. Hermione waved goodbye to Draco as she entered the building.

At dinner that evening, awards were given to the students. Ron won Most Spirited Hogwarts Student. Pansy awarded Draco with Most Spirited Slytherin. As Draco walked to Professor Dumbledore, he wished that a hole would open up and swallow him. The sixth year boys also got awards for Best Dressed, or in their case, Undressed.

Professor Dumbledore ended the night with a short speech. "Tomorrow night's ball is a special event. A special thank you to our Prefects who organized today and the ball. Now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song! Everyone pick their favorite tune and off we go!"

In golden letters, the words to the school song hovered where everyone could see:

Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,

Teach us something please,

Whether we be old and bald

Or young with scabby knees,

Our heads could do with filling

With some interesting stuff,

For now they're bare and full of air,

Dead flies and bits of fluff,

So teach us things worth knowing,

Bring back what we've forgot,

Just do your best, we'll do the rest,

And learn until our brains all rot.

"It isn't the same without Fred and George," Ginny said. All of the Gryffindors agreed. They sluggishly got up from their table and made their way to Gryffindor tower to clean off paint.

The sixth year Prefects spent the next day decorating for the Halloween Ball. Hagrid brought the giant pumpkin that he contributed every year and set it on the teachers' podium, which had been transformed into a refreshment stand. Paper bats were enchanted to fly around the room between the candles that resided there permanently.

When the Prefects were through, Hermione walked up to Gryffindor Tower. Lavender and Parvati were waiting in ambush for Hermione in the common room.

"Now, I know that we haven't been the best of friends," Lavender started.

"And we all don't exactly see eye to eye," Parvati picked up.

"But we're all girls and we know how to take care of each other. Harry told us that you were feeling left out. He said he did not know how to handle this one."

Hermione started to panic. Parvati understood her concern and quickly reassured Hermione that Harry did not tell her what the problem was, only that there was one and it needed a remedy from a girl's point of view.

"We have seen your dress robes, so we know you have some fashion sense." Lavender pulled Hermione up to the girls' dormitory. She and Parvati sat Hermione down on one of the beds. They picked up brushes and clips of various sizes.

"Your hair isn't as bushy as it used to be. In fact, now that your hair is curling, it's pretty. Parvati, what do you think of a half-up, half-down thing?"

Parvati nodded her head excitedly.

Hermione looked at a clock on one of the nightstands. "Are we going to be late?"

Lavender shook her head. "Look, your hair is done." She pulled Hermione into a standing position facing the mirror.

Hermione caught her breath. She resembled pictures of Medieval witches from textbooks: elegant, graceful, and beautiful.

Parvati put her hands on Hermione's shoulders and looked at Hermione in the mirror.

"I knew you would like it."

"I didn't say that...I..."

Lavender laughed. "You didn't have to. Let's finish your makeup and get down to the ball."

When they were done, Hermione was in awe. "How can I ever thank you?"

"Leave a few guys for us, and we'll be even." Hermione walked by herself to the Great Hall. Draco was getting pumpkin juice when she walked in. He ended up spilling his juice all over the tablecloth.

"Draco! Watch what you are doing for once!" one of the other prefects yelled.

He looked down and realized what he was doing. "Oh sorry." He cleaned up the mess before walking to Hermione.

"I, uh...I...wow."

Hermione blushed. "Thanks, I guess."

"Would you like to dance?"

"Sure."

Draco took her hand and led her out onto the dance floor. Draco would not let her dance with anyone else. He was entranced, intoxicated at the very sight of her.

After an hour, Hermione was getting tired. "Draco, let's get some pumpkin juice, ok?"

He took her hand and led her to the refreshments. Harry and Ron were there.

Hermione smiled. "Why did you get Lavender and Parvati to pounce on me?"

Harry motioned towards Draco who had his back turned. "Looks like it worked it's charm. He will hardly take his eyes off of you."

"Are you saying that you did this just to get me closer to Draco?"

"Hermione, I have to help a brother out sometimes. He's head over heels for you."

"Harry, we went over this."

"Fine, I'll go tell him that this was all a mistake."

Harry tapped Draco on the shoulder. As soon as Draco turned, they both felt a tug on their chests.