For those planning the Halloween Ball, namely Draco, Hermione and Ginny, it was approaching far too quickly. By the middle of October both girls were frantic, what with decorations, planning, bands, what they were going to wear, and making sure everyone got notices about it, as well as updating the teachers as decisions were made, there was so much to do. Draco took it all in his stride, and his usual response to news, both shocking and boring, was "Okay." He seemed to have few opinions, and didn't often suggest things, but both girls recognised signs of his subtle influence in all the plans.

The theme of the ball was, as Ginny had suggested, masquerade. You could wear whatever you wanted, though it had to be formal, as long as you had a mask. Flitwick had volunteered to cast charms over the entire school to prevent you from being recognised and from telling someone who you were, although the charm did not stop you confirming a correct guess. This set of spellwork over the entire castle made going with dates impossible, so that was one less thing the girls had to worry about.

With Flitwick doing the charms, Dumbledore exerting his influence over the musical world to get a decent band for the ball, all the teachers helping with decorations, that just left Ginny and Hermione to get their dresses…the weekend before the ball.

"I cannot believe we left it this late!" Hermione exclaimed as she and Ginny arrived in Hogsmede.

You're telling me. All the best ones will be gone! Amelie complained.

"We'll find something." Ginny reassured her.

"I sincerely hope so. My dress robes from the Yule ball don't fit me anymore, even if I hadnt had a character change."

"Plus we need to find a mask." Ginny reminded her. Hermione groaned.

You're giving me a headache. We'll find something. And if we don't, I can always make one out of fire.

Be realistic.

It was only an idea. Here we are. Ginny gave a wry smile and she opened the door, and she and Hermione went inside.

Gladrags was a medium sized shop crammed with racks that were crammed with robes and dresses. On the left side of the shop was the mens robes and on the right were the girls clothes.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" an assistant asked, bustling up. She was young and fair, dressed in sage-green robes.

"We need formal dresses or robes." Hermione said. "And do you have masks?"

"Of nearly every colour." The assistant assured her. "The formals are over here, and once you find a dress, we can see if we can find a mask to match. You're lucky – we've just had a new shipment of dresses in…it's been frantic lately."

"Halloween Ball." Ginny explained. "Everyone's been getting new robes."

"That would explain it. If you want to look through the robes, you can call me if you need anything." The assistant showed the the dresses and bustled off.

Ginny and Hermione started flicking through the robes, but the process was slow. Ginny at least knew what colour she was looking for, but Hermione hadnt the faintest idea. She knew she wanted something totally different from her fourth-year robes, which were pretty although they were very 'fourteen'. She was seventeen now…she wanted something somewhat more mature.

After much flicking and looking through the robes by herself, as Ginny had gone off to try five dresses on, all the same colour of azure blue but different styles, she finally found it. And the perfect thing to go with it hanging two dresses down.

The dress itself was a sleeveless blood-red dress with a full skirt and a tight bodice that laced up the back in matching red cord. It was made of satin, and it shimmered under the light. By itself it was quite plain, but Hermione found a black lace coverup. It looked like a long coat except that it was made of black lace with a rose-and-thorns pattern, with long sleeves. It had a long 'skirt' to it, which would, hopefully fit over the dress. Both were her size, so all she had to do was try them on and hope for the best.

She found Ginny in the changing rooms, trying on a blue silk dress that was straight almost to the floor, with silver straps. It was slit in two places on either side of her, and had green-blue opalescent material sewn into the slits. Ginny turned to look at her as she walked in.

"I have the perfect shoes for this." Ginny said with a grin. Then she shrugged, "But it's way too expensive."

"Let me see." Amelie said, taking control. She looked at the price tag, and altered it somewhat, moving the decimal point a place, so it was practically on sale. "That's not too bad."

Ginny looked at it again. "I could have sworn…" she looked suspiciously at Amelie.

"Don't look at me, doc." Amelie said, raising her hands as if in surrender. "I didn't do nothing."

"Are you sure?" Ginny asked.

"Perfectly. Now stick around while I try this dress on." Amelie nodded towards the armful of red satin and black lace in her arms and ducked into a changing room to try it on.

That was sneaky and thieving. Hermione scolded.

Don't be stupid. Gin absolutely deserves that dress. She looks beautiful in it and she never complains about anything. If it means that much to you I'll add the extra zero onto this dress.

No, thanks. Hermione said hastily, bearing in mind the current price of the dress.

I thought you might say that.

The dress fitted perfectly, and the lace over-dress fitted nicely as well. It had tight long sleeves and fastened with one rose-and-stem-shaped button in the front. The bottom half of the over dress was the perfect length and width, extending to the floor and covering three-quarters of the skirt of the dress, leaving only a small part uncovered at the front. Amelie experimented, running her hands through her hair turning it black, and when her fingers came to the bottom of her hair, it all sprung upwards in tight ringlets.

Wow.

Yeah. And I can disguise the tattoo. Amelie walked out of the changing room, and Ginny whistled. Amelie grinned.

"You like?" she asked, twirling around.

"I love." Ginny pronounced.

"Cool. I love it too."

"All you need is a mask. I have mine already." Amelie glanced out towards the shop and saw
Draco inside, flicking through the men's dress robes.

Shit! He can't see this dress!

He hasn't, his back is to us. Breathe.

"I have to change back, Draco's in the store, and I don't want him to tell what I'm wearing." She winked at Ginny and dashed back into the cubicle, quickly changing back.

Hair. Hermione reminded her, and Amelie obligingly returned her black ringlets to wavy brown, before they exited. Draco was nowhere in sight, so Amelie gave control to Hermione who took the dress to the counter.

"Do you have a mask I could wear with this?" she asked.

"Black or red?" the assisstant asked.

"Black, thanks." Hermione smiled, running her fingers over the silky-smooth cloth.

"Full face or half?"

"Half."

"We have this one." The assisstant pulled out a black mask covered in black velvet, with three gold stars on either side.

"It's perfect." Hermione said with a grin.

"Just use the spell Adhero, and it'll stick until you pull it off. No one else can pull it off for you unless you want them to."

"That's useful." Ginny said. Hermione nodded, and the assisstant boxed up the dress, put it in a bag, and Hermione payed her, and then they left before Draoc could spot them.

"That was lucky. If he'd seen us…" Hermione said.

"He'd have seen your dress and known how to find you at the ball. Somehow, I don't think you're too averse to that happening." Ginny said.

Smart girl.

Do you ever shut up?

I sleep sometimes. Amelie offered.

"I'm not much bothered." Hermione said dismissively. "It'll be interesting to see if he can recognise me though."

"You like him!" Ginny said in a sing-song voice.

"Who?" The girls turned and saw Blaise Zambini behind them.

"Someone." Ginny said with a grin. "In fact, I think Hermione is falling head over heels."

"Now you're being ridiculous." Hermione snorted. "I have some things to do, so I'll leave you too to speculate. And Ginny, not a freaking word comes out of your mouth or I'll sew it shut!"

"Yes ma'am." Ginny said with a snicker. Hermione rolled her eyes and walked off.

We need jewelery. And those two look so fab together. Amelie added as an afterthought.

They do, don't they? We do. I have a little gold necklace we can wear, but it'll look a bit wrong.

Jewelery searching then. I so love shopping!

I know you do.

They went into about five different jewelery stores, but only really found one set that worked perfectly. Unfortunately, that set was way out of her price range.

This sucks.

Something'll turn up. But you have History of Magic homework, so we gotta go back.

But it's so boring!

Not the point my dear friend. Come on, mooch along home now.

Don't say mooch to me. I hate that word.

Only because it doesn't really exist.

Then why use it? Hermione demanded.

Because it amuses me to irritate you. Amelie answered uncaringly.

You are so frustrating!

And behold my success.

Argh! Hermione stormed back towards Hogwarts, and Amelie smirked.

&

It was the night before the ball, and Hermione was working frantically to finalise the last details, and to check everything was in place. There was a knock on the door, and she opened it with a wave of her hand.

"What are you doing?" Draco asked coming in and sitting on her bed.

"Checking everything's been done."

"Trust me Hermione, if it wasn't, the teachers would have spotted it. And even if they didn't, there isnt time to change it now." Hemione twisted around in her chair to face him.

"Are you sure?" she asked. He grinned.

"Positive." He started fidgeting, and Hermione frowned.

"Are you alright?" she asked. "Only you're fidgeting, and you never fidget."

"Your birthday's in November, right?"

"The fifth, why?"

"Early birthday present." He held out a square box, and she took it.

"Thanks. Am I allowed to open it now?"

"Sure." He said, watching her warily. She nodded, and unwrapped the gift, revealing a black jewelery box. She opened it and her mouth dropped open. She stared breathless at the necklace, earrings and bracelet set for a moment.

"You like it?" he asked nervously. She snapped the box shut and then jumped up. She stood in front of him and held out her free hand, and he took it. She pulled him upright and suddenly hugged him, hard.

"Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!" she said holding onto his neck. His arms went round her waist and he looked down at her face. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were sparkling.

"I take it you like it then?" he asked.

"I love it!" she replied. She pulled away, and opened the box again, setting it down on the bed. She took out the earrings and put them out, watching with a smile how the light caught them. They were column-shaped, with a small ruby at the top, and a larger round one at the bottom. Both were encased in bronze, and there was a narrow bronze bar between the two rubies. "They are so beautiful." She murmured. She took out the necklace, and moving to the mirror, started putting it on. The clasp gave her a bit of difficulty, though. "Draco, could you fasten this for me?" he nodded, coming up behind her and fastening the necklace. It was a bronze round chain that fit around the base of her throat. Across the hollow of her throat was a ruby cylinder, in a cage of burnished bronze, matching the earrings. "I saw these, Draco. And they were so expensive."

"What's the point of having buckets of money and not spending it?" he asked, his hands resting on her shoulders. Hermione spun and hugged him again.

"You didn't have to."

"But I wanted to. And I have to admit, I saw the colour of your dress." He also found it immensely satisfying to see her wearing jewelery he had bought her. She pulled back.

"You didn't see the dress itself, did you?"

"No, only a flash of colour, it's red."

"It is. What else did you see?" Hermione asked suspiciously. This could ruin her plans. If he had seen her dress, then he would be able to tell it was her at the ball. And that would never do.

"I saw Ginny try on about five dresses that all looked the same." He offered.

"They were not the same. They were just the same colour." She contradicted him. He shrugged.

"I couldn't tell. And you didn't come out when I was watching, so I didn't see."

"Oh, good." Hermione smiled. "I don't want you to see until tomorrow night."

"Spoilsport." He muttered. "I'm going to leave you in peace now, but try not to worry about the dance. There's nothing you can do about it now, if you've forgotten anything. Which I doubt." He smirked and headed for the door, all his nervousness lost.

"Draco?" Hermione asked, just as he turned to shut the door.

"Hmm?" he asked, watching her. She stood in the middle of her room, the ruby earrings dangling from her ears and her fingers at the at necklace at her throat, biting her lip.

"Thanks." She said finally. He nodded.

"You're welcome."

He likes you! Amelie said happily.

Don't be ridiculous. He doesn't like me.

Oh, come on! How many people spend up to a hundred galleons on jewelery for someone they don't like? Heck, who spends that much money on people they do like?

People who have more money than sense.

You're impossible. Amelie said hopelessly.

&

Hermione spent the morning of the ball with Ginny, overseeing the final preparations for the ball, watching the teachers decorate. She kept feeling really awkward when a teacher asked her if a certain decoration was okay, although both Amelie and Ginny were in their element, dictating how things should be done.

She didn't say any of the boys, although Ginny had reported that everyone in Gryffindor tower was really excited, especially the girls, who wouldn't shut up about what they were going to wear. Mindful that she and Ginny did the exact same thing, despite the different location, Hermione kept her mouth shut.

At four o'clock, with three hours remaining to the ball, Hermione and Ginny retreated to the Head's suite, so they could get ready. Ginny kept finding herself spending more time than usual in the head's suite, but that was mainly because she found the company better. Hermione was Hermione, despite Amelie's influence, and Draco wasn't too bad once you convinced him that he was ticklish. Or at least, that was Ginny's theory.

Anyone who's ever gotten ready for a big party or a big prom will know that, for girls at least, it is an art. And does not, contrary to what guys believe, take five minutes. Draco scoffed at the girls when they arrived in the common room to get ready, although when they did not emerge after two hours he admitted defeat and decided maybe girls did need that much time.

In Hermione's room, the girls were carefully applying makeup, a process, which done properly with lots of care and the attitude that there is plenty of time, could take a long time. When that was finished, they got dressed, Ginny helping to lace Hermione into the scarlet dress, pulling the laces so tight Hermione gasped.

"That's okay." She said, holding onto her compressed stomach. "I didn't need that rib anyway."

"Don't be a baby." Ginny said, tying the cord.

"If I faint, and I faint onto your brother's lap, I will kill you." Hermione threatened.

"What's wrong with Ron?" Ginny asked innocently, her blue eyes sparkling.

"The fact that every time I say his name he assumes I'm about to ask him out. Of course, it never occurred to him that it usually happens the other way –"

"You want to date my brother?" Ginny exclaimed.

"No!" Hermione denied swiftly. "Erk. But all I'm saying is that the guy's gotta ask me out, no matter how old-fashioned that is."

"It's romantic." Ginny corrected her, standing still so Hermione could do the zip up the back. "But Ron definitely isnt the person for you. Although I could tell you who is…"

"Shut up!" Hermione exclaimed, laughing. "Look at this, I have to show you."

She pulled the jewelery box from her desk drawer, and handed it to Ginny. Ginny opened it, and her mouth dropped open.

"That was my reaction." Hermione said with a smile, taking the earrings from the box and moving to the mirror to put them on. Amelie took control briefly to change Hermione's hair to black and to curl it, and then gave control back to Hermione, who pinned the top bit up, leaving a few curls down to frame her face, and the rest of the curls to cascade down her back. She quickly covered her tattoo as well, just in case some sharp-eyed person saw it.

"Oh my god." Ginny said eventually. Hermione glanced at the clock as she pulled the black lace cover on, fastening it across the tight bodice. She looked down.

"Fucking hell, Ginny! Look at this cleavage." Ginny was ignoring her, staring at the necklace and bracelet in the box. The bracelet matched the necklace, except it was smaller.

"I saw the sapphire and silver one of these in the shop." Ginny said finally. "And I knew it would have cost a fortune. How much was this one?"

"Ninety seven galleons, I think. I'm not sure." Hermione said, fiddling with the clasp, and finally getting it shut.

"Where did you get that kind of money?" She demanded. Hermione shook her head.

"I didn't." Hermione said. There was a pause, and Hermione took the bracelet from the box and clasped it around her right wrist. Staring into the mirror, she barely recognised herself.

"Well, how'd you get it then?" Ginny asked, still behind her, and talking to her reflection in the mirror.

"Draco gave it to me. An early birthday present, he said." Ginny shrieked and grabbed Hermione, hugging her.

"He did! Oh my god!"

"Will you shut up?" Hermione hissed. "He can hear you!"

"And you ladies have ten minutes until the ball starts." Draco said through the door.

"Shit!" Ginny shrieked.

"Ginny, quit with the shrieking, please." Hermione implored.

"Language, Virginia." Draco scolded. "I'm going down. I'll see you there."

"Kay!" Hermione called, before turning to Ginny, who was muttering spells in front of the mirror, so her hair swept back into a complicated knot at the back of her head, with tendrils curling down in front of her face. Hermione took a silver chain out of her jewelery box, hung with tiny sapphires.

"Here, wear this." She said, handing it to Ginny. Ginny smiled her thanks and put it on, then reached for her mask.

"Adhero." She murmured, and the mask stuck to her face. Hermione did likewise, and then they slipped on their shoes, blue sandles for Ginny, black for Hermione, and then they went down to the great hall.

The teachers had done their work well. The hall looked beautiful, and so did many of the inhabitants. But Hermione couldn't recognise any of them, and it took some doing to remember that the ginger-haired girl in blue next to her was Ginny.

"Wow. I can't recognise anyone." Ginny murmured. "And the hall looks great."

"I know."

"Let's split up. We can do more damage that way." Ginny suggested. Hermione smiled, and nodded. The two girls separated, and Ginny glided off towards the back of the hall, getting stopped several time and asked to dance.

Hermione drifted towards the refreshments table, suddenly feeling very alone. Touching the ruby at her throat, she murmured a concealment spell, so the necklace was suddenly invisible. She didn't want to be identified that quickly by Draco.

Provided he was looking for her at all.

You're being silly. One does not give another an expensive necklace, bracelet and earrings and then ignore her for the rest of the year. Amelie chided.

I didn't think he'd ignore me. Hermione protested.

"Would you like to dance?" Hermione looked up as a boy held out his hand to her. He had brown hair.

Not him. Damn.

Dance.

"Of course." And Hermione let herself be swept into the dance.

She didn't stop dancing until a couple of hours later, because she kept swapping partners. She was exhilerated with the whole thing, finding the element of the mask very freeing. No one knew who she was, so she could act how she liked. She could dance with anyone…she was sure there were a couple of Slytherins in there, and she had been able to recognise Tom Adams, a Hufflepuff, mainly because he was an excellent dancer, and his conversation was limited to the varieties of daisies in the British Isles.

Eventually Hermione pulled herself out of the dancers and headed for the refreshment tables for a much needed drink. Standing beside the table was a blonde guy wearing black. Her heart leapt, although she remembered she had danced with three blonde guys, all of which hadnt been Draco. This guy was looking for someone, which was made clear by the way his eyes scanned the crowd.

"You looking for someone?" Hermione asked. He looked at her out of steely-blue eyes behind his mask.

"Yes."

"Maybe I can help." Hermione volunteered. The guy went back to scanning the crowds. "What colour dress is she wearing? It is a she, isnt it?" He sent her a withering glance.

"Yes."

"Well, what colour?" Hermione asked.

Calm down. Amelie cautioned. You're getting hyper-active helpful. Hermione took a deep breath and calmed yourself.

"Blue." She stopped short.

"Pardon?"

"Her dress is blue." Hermione caught herself before she sighed.

"Oh. Okay."

Damn!

Calm down. The night is young and you are obsessed. We'll find him yet. Of course, it would be much easier if you'd allow him to find you! Amelie complained. Hermione touched the invisble necklace at her throat with her fingertips.

I know. she answered simply.

"I've seen her." The guy beside her said, and he disappeared into the crowd, leaving Hermione alone at the table. Hermione groaned and tipped her head back.

"Are you alright?" She looked over to her left and saw yet another blonde guy watching her.

How many fucking blondes are there in this school?

"Yeah, I'm fine." She said with a rueful smile. "Although I'm beginning to get a headache."

"Lost someone?" he asked with a laugh.

"I didn't find them in the first place." Hermione complained.

And who's fault is that?

"What colour robes are they wearing?" he asked, moving to stand next to her, his eyes on the crowd.

"I have no idea. With him, it'd probably be black, or dark green, or some variation on the 'dark' theme."

He laughed, and she noticed his robes were dark blue and very nicely cut.

He is fine! Amelie said happily.

You think anyone without spots is fine!

Ugh, no way. They have to be taller than me, male, with nice hair, nice eyes, nice facial features, and a gorgeous bod. That's before we move onto personality requirements.

"You looking for someone too?" Hermione asked. He nodded, looking at her and his eyes flicking over her dress before turning back to the crowd. "Dress colour?"

"Red."

Yeah! Amelie crowed in delight.

There are a lot of people wearing red here. Hermione pointed out honestly.

You are so negative.

"Hair colour?" Hermione asked. "I'm trying to narrow it down. I've seen at least four people wearing red."

"So have I." He said. "Brunette, usually. It can change from day to day."

Funny, that. Ours happens to do that exact same thing!

You have the right to remain silent…so shut the fuck up! Hermione exclaimed.

La di da. Make me. Amelie smiled mentally.

A slow song started playing, and the guy on stage moved towards the microphone.

"This is your last song, so I hope you've enjoyed it." He said. The blonde guy next to her turned to her.

"Do you want to dance? I figure we're not going to find our respective people now." Hermione nodded.

"Sure."

They started dancing, and Hermione got the sneaky feeling she knew who he was. His cologne smelled familiar, seeing as a bottle of was sitting on his side of the bathroom, and his hair was the right shade of blonde.

"Why aren't you wearing the necklace?" he murmured, still dancing. Hermione smiled.

"I am wearing it." She freed her hand and touched it, murmuring under her breath, and it appeared.

"It would have been a lot easier had it been visible." Draco said softly.

"I know. Amelie said that."

"She was right."

Wasn't I just? Aren't I always?

"Are you wearing the earrings?"

"I'm wearing all of it. Only the necklace was concealed, though." She felt his hand brush her hair back.

"So you are." He said with a smile.

"How did you recognise me?" she asked, curious. "If you couldn't see the jewelery, and I'm not the only one here wearing a red dress."

"I only recognised you when we started dancing." He said with a shrug.

"So? Tell me."

"Your perfume."

"What?" Hermione asked, surprised.

Coincidence rocks!

"Your perfume, the Dior Pure Poison one. I recognise it because my cousin nearly bought it and was making me smell all the different ones. That and the fact the bathroom always smells of it after you've been in there." Hermione laughed, leaning her head on his shoulder.

"Did you recognise me?" he asked.

"About ten seconds after you recognised me, by the sounds of it." Hermione said with a smile. "And the same way, too. I remembered the cologne after Amy and Ginny sniffed it, after the quidditch game, remember?"

"I remember." The music drew to a close, and he looked up.

"The unmasking is now." He said.

"Do we have to stay?" she asked pleadingly.

"They wont notice if we leave."

"Let's go." She said. Draco flashed her a grin and led her out of the hall and through into the gardens.

They were passing within sight of the door when they heard the call for the Head students. Hermione groaned.

"It's your duty, Hermione." Draco teased.

"Well, sometimes I really wish I wasn't head girl." She shot back. Draco lifted an eyebrow.

"Really?"

"Really really." Hermione confirmed. She glanced again at the open doors. "But we'd probably better go in."

"Yeah."

"Um…we should probably also go in separately, otherwise Ron and Harry will try and kick your ass."

"And fail." He finished for her. She rolled her eyes.

"And fail. But then there'll be lots of trouble and Ron will be mad at Ginny, and –"

"What? Where does Ginny come into this?" Draco asked, confused.

"Well, she's been hanging out with us, but if it looks like we're dating or something like that, Ron will get on her case for not telling him, like she has to report back to him."

"That sucks." Draco said blandly.

"Definitely." Hermione agreed. "Look, if you go in through the doors to the hall, I'll go round."

"Okay." Draco smiled at her before relinguishing her hand and turning towards the great hall. Hermione headed to the side door.

I hadnt even realised he was holding my hand! Hermione exclaimed.

I did. Amelie crowed.

Why didn't you say anything? Hermione demanded.

Because you would have let go. Now get a move on. and Hermione walked faster.

&