A/N: Shout-outs:

Katelyn—thank you for checking out my story! I also used to be a Ginny/Draco until I discovered rootbeerfloat's fanfics. Have you read any of hers? They turned me from Gin to Hermione and I am glad to be your first Hm/Dr fic!

Dracofan4eva—Thank you also for checking out my story! Now you won't have to huntme down cause I'm updating for ya! Thanks for your review!

TomsPink—Thank you for the compliments!

Professional Toilet Flusher—I think your name has been one of the more creative names I've seen so far, lol. Thanks for revewing my story!

Friticatized—I really want to write Hermione and Draco jumping on each other, too! But we must be patient, musn't we? Or maybe they'll jump on each other in this chappie..who knows? You'll have to read on to find out…I hope your ball scene in your story goes well. What kind of story is it? Hermione and Draco? What's the name, if I have time maybe I'll check it out.

Ceylon—I'm glad your back to reviewing! Keep it up! Thanks!

Lionangel—Thanks for asking about my paper! It actually isn't due until April so I haven't done much at all with it, but I am really excited b/c the teacher who is my advisor for the paper LOVES Harry Potter, too! So I lucked out there! Thanks for reviewing!!

The Singing Hippo—You aren't dumb! Lol! You were not the only one who didn't noticed, do not worry bout that. I obviously wasn't very observant when I wrote it either was I? And it's my own story! Oh well! Thanks for your review!

Daniel'sGirl NowNForever—Thanks for appreciating my descriptions! Thanks also for not noticing my mistake too much! Lol!

FoggySkittle—Thank you thank you! It means so much to hear uplifting things from my readers, especially the ones whom have been with since the beginning!

Charmed piper—thanks for not noticing, lol!

Kitty253—Blaise will forgive Draco…you'll see.

Slytheringurl—thanks here's ur update!

Sarah-lynn—I love Blaise, too, he's my favorite Slytherin, other than the beautifully sculpted Draco of course hehe.

Kathloonkins—thanks, I'll keep working, you keep reading and reviewing! Hehe!

Fireballazur—I think I confuse myself sometimes also with the Hm/Dr secret relationship. They are bf and gf…but yet they aren't. lol. Thanks for the review!

NYCBallerina5678—I love my Blaise's character too hehe. Thanks for your review.

Greengrl—Thanks for your compliments!!

HuGs N KiSsEs 1411—thank you!

Jesska-14—Yay! Blaise and Draco! WooWoo! It's okay to get mushy lol

Fantazyfinder4vr—More fluff eh? Well it's my favorite thing to write so don't worry more will come soon!

Jenjen147—thank you! I'm so happy so many of you like the way I portray Blaise!

Miss Moonlight—Here's your update!

Pur-sanity—Yeah, Blaise was melodramatic, but he's Draco's only best friend and visa versa so I had to throw some drama in there. And I don't hate you! Keep reading and reviewing!

Spychick989—Thank you! I am glad about Blaise too! Hermione's got Harry and now Draco's got Blaise! It works well for everyone!

On with the story!

Chap. 34 The Yule Ball Part III

Hermione decided she really liked Blaise that night. She liked him mainly because he was a good friend for Draco. He wasn't cruel or arrogant or selfish. He wasn't really too Slytherin-y. And she liked that. Maybe he was clever and sneaky and that's why he was in Slytherin, she wasn't sure, but she didn't mind too much. He didn't think too high of himself to speak to her nor too spiteful to hate Draco now. He was the best person Draco could have for a best friend.

Blaise walked away from Hermione, with mixed feelings. He was still upset about Draco, but he also was upset with himself. He knew how Draco's father was, and how mad it could be for Lucius to find out, but he didn't care or think about it before. Then he thought about how beat-up Draco was from his father, playing it off like it was a Quidditch mishap.

Blaise saw Draco sitting at one of the tables, holding a butterbeer. He looked as if he was thinking about things.

When Draco looked up and saw Blaise coming toward him, he stood up quickly.

'Look, Blaise, I'm sorry about what I said and what I didn't say. You know I don't show feelings and emotions too well. You know I keep a lot bottled inside me.'

'Drake, it's okay. I realize it would have been dangerous to tell me because of your father. Granger told me what happened when Lucius found out before. I understand why you tried to keep it as secret as possible. Sorry I acted like a girl…fucker.'

As soon as Draco heard that precious word escape Blaise's mouth, he knew they were best friends again.

'Thanks. I'll keep you updated on me and Hermione now.' Draco smirked.

Blaise nodded as Draco began to walk away. Blaise stood back for a few seconds and then heard Draco speak once more.

'Oh Blaise?'

'Yeah?'

'Just thought you oughta know, I won the bet.'

Blaise's eyes widened and he laughed. He then walked up to Draco.

'And to think you would have never thought about dating Granger, unless I construed that little gambling game…' Blaise grinned.

'You owe me.'

'A stripper?'

'I don't need that anymore.' Draco replied.

'Got your own I guess. Fucking hot one too…and it's free.' Blaise smiled devilishly. 'But I don't owe you anything. You called off the bet months ago.'

'Did I?' Draco asked dumbly, 'Funny. I don't recall that.'

'Go dance with your "date" and leave me the hell alone.' Blaise said with a wink.

'Can't dance with her.'

'Why not?'

'We're supposed to be enemies.'

'You were "forced" weren't you?'

'Yeah.'

'Then you can be "forced" to dance.'

'If I dance with her…I will be stand closely against her, not able to touch her the way I want…this will be like teasing…and then the whole school with get a visual proof that I want her.'

'That's a good call. Don't dance with her.' Blaise agreed.

Draco nodded and walked away. As Draco was walking to find some thing to eat, he saw Hermione dancing with Potter. He growled low to himself even though he knew they were just friends.

It's amazing what that girl can do to change the way a once strong-headed, stubborn man thinks. He thought to himself.

-

Hermione was dancing with Harry to a song called 'Late Nights' by a wizard boy band called The WandBreakers.

'So hows the night going with Ginny?' Hermione asked, loudly enough so Harry could hear.

'Oh wicked! She's over dancing with some friends now! A little break from the fabulously wicked dance machine, Harry Potter.' He said jokingly.

'I don't blame her! You are a fabulously wicked dancer!' She joked back.

Harry then looked over and noticed Malfoy staring at him, not too happy of a look.

'I don't think Malfoy enjoys me dancing with you.' He said, only loud enough for her to hear.

Hermione looked over and saw her boyfriend popping peanuts into his mouth viscously as he scowled at Harry.

'I think he's upset because we can't dance because we're "enemies", but you and I can.' She replied.

'Malfoy sure has changed hasn't he?' Harry asked.

'Yeah. It's a crazy revelation.' Hermione sighed.

'A what?'

'Revelation…you know… a confession, discovery, bombshell…take your pick.'

'No matter how much I loathe Malfoy, I think it would be best if you went over and talked to him. Not that I'm scared of him beating me up or anything, but he does seem to care for you a lot and it's probably hard on him not to be public with you because of his fucked up father.'

'Maybe your right Harry. I'll go talk to him.' She replied with a smile. 'Did I mention how I love that you're my best friend?'

'It's understood.'

She smiled brightly and walked away.

'Hey Draco.' Hermione said as she walked up to him.

'I'm glad to see your having a good time.' He replied hotly.

'Oh don't be so jealous all the time' She replied. 'How did it go with Blaise?'

'Good. Thanks for talking to him. We're back to normal.'

'I'm glad. I like him.'

'What?' He asked quickly.

'For you, as your best friend.' She sighed.

'Oh. Good I guess.' He shrugged.

'Draco, I'm sorry that we can't act like we're together right now.'

'It's fine.'

'You were glaring at Harry like he was the devil.' Hermione commented.

'That's because it's Potter, not because you and I weren't dancing.' He lied.

'Draco, please be nice about Harry. He's being understanding about you.'

'Yeah right.'

'He is. The least you could do is return the favor.'

'What has Potter ever done that has benefited me?'

'Are you happy I'm here right now?'

'Talking to me?'

'Yes.'

'It's better than you dancing with him.'

'That's Harry's doing. He told me to come over here because you seemed upset that we weren't together.'

'That's a lie. Potter would never want you to spend more time with me.'

'That's not true, Draco. Harry said that he realizes you care for me and I should be with you.'

'Who says I care for you?' He asked with a smirk.

'Draco!' She cried, but under her breath so no one would hear.

Draco laughed and brushed her arm comfortingly and secretly.

'Only joking.' He smiled.

She looked up at him lovingly. Her big brown eyes gazing into his.

'Draco?' She asked softly.

'Yes baby?'

'Will we still be together by the time graduation comes?'

'What? Why do you ask that?'

'Do you think we will be? I mean, because of the peer pressure and stuff?'

Draco looked around and saw a side door, open to the outside of the school. No students were in the pathway to get there.

'Come with me.' He told her.

He went to the door and then stepped out side. Once they got out he conjured coats and hats for them.

'What are we doing?'

'We can't very well be going on about out future in there, now can we? A bit difficult probably.'

'That's true.'

'Hermione, it is hard hiding our relationship from everyone but I love you, and I would hope you return those feelings still-'

'Of course I do.' She replied.

'Then I don't see why we can't keep this up, even to graduation.'

Hermione nodded.

'Draco?'

'Yes baby?'

'After graduation, will you go back to the Manor?'

'I don't know. I suppose that's what my mother would like.'

'How will we stay together then? Your father is there and you will be interrogated about where you go, right?'

'There's no students to inform my father there though.'

'I suppose.'

'Hermione, you are really thinking hard of reasons for us not to be together. Where is this coming from?'

'No where. I'm trying to be logical about the whole thing.'

'What? Do you think this is a waste of time?'

'No, Draco, no. Don't make me sound like I want to destroy this relationship because I don't. I am just making sure you've thought about it, because I think about it all the time.'

'Why do you dwell on the negatives of us?'

'I told you, I just think in advance and try to plan ahead.'

'Damn Gryffindors. You think too much for your own good, did you know?'

Hermione laughed.

'Yes I know.'

Hermione then got a shiver from the cold.

'Let's go back inside.' She said.

Draco then took her hand and pulled her away from the door.

'Draco, this is going further outside, I want to go inside, I'm cold.'

He pulled her around the other side of tall bushes, against the building and pressed her up against the wall.

'Cold you say?' He asked.

He took her face in his hands and pressed his warm lips down on hers. His tongue entered easily, taking advantage of no one being around, his hands traveled from her cheeks to her backside, down to her…other cheeks.

She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. She began to feel blood rising to her face, warming her.

Draco kissed her cheeks and then her nose, followed by her forehead. He brushed his lips over her neck and paused at her ear.

'I'd spend more time on your neck, love, but I think people would notice…' He breathed huskily to her.

She nodded and just dug her face into his neck. He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her, his face against hers.

'I think I have a way for us to spend some time together soon.' He whispered.

Hermione looked up at him in wonder.

'How?'

'What are you plans for Christmas?'

'I don't know, go home?'

'You live by muggles, with muggles. No one there cares about me or my father.'

'Are you saying you want to come home with me for Christmas?' Hermione asked happily.

'If you'll let me.'

'I'd love to bring you home!' She exclaimed happily, 'You could meet my parents and my brother and sister!'

'You have a brother and sister?' (A/N: I know she's an only child in the books but I want to shake things up a bit later on at home.)

'My brother is 22 and my sister is 20.'

'Older?'

'Umm…yes.' She giggled. 'As I said they are 22 and 20.'

'They live at home?'

'No. They are in college.'

'College?'

'They can't do magic, so they go to a muggle school called college. It's for older people, above the age of 18.'

'Do your parents…know about me?'

'No.'

'Do they know who my father is?'

'Yes…that might be a problem.'

'I'll just have to make them like me. Be on my best behavior.' He winked.

'I love you, Draco.' She smiled.

She leaned up on her tip-toes and then kissed him softly.

'Christmas break then?' She asked.

'If you'll have me.'

'I think this is the best idea I've ever heard from you.'