Hi everyone. Sorry for such a long wait. I was gone for two weeks on vacation, and as much as I wanted to tell you guys, I didn't have time. I don't have time to do responses right now, but I want to thanks all the reviewers for doing their thing. And I want to congratulate Chelsea for winning the contest. The answer is kinda dumb, but she got it all the same. It was the author of the book's name. It was an anagram for secret hidden passage. Dumb, right? Whatever. I also wanted to tell everyone that I have the next chappie written, so it will probably be out soon, and I'll tell you this. It's the chapter you've all been waiting for. So, yeah. Also, I have a lot of stories in the works, so look for them also, to be up sometime soon. Now for Chapter 8 of Give Me A Chance.

At Hogwarts, time seemed to fly faster than ever. Soon, it was October 17, the day before the ball, and Hermione was as anxious as ever. At 10:00, she was due to head to Hogsmeade with Lavender, Parvati, and Ginny to go shopping for dresses.

When 10:00 rolled around, Hermione went down to the common room to meet her friends.

After everyone exchanged hellos, Lavender said, "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!"

Upon their entrance, the girls rushed to the M.C.E., the Muggle Clothing Emporium.

(AN: Think one of those fast paced trying on clothes scenes that you always see in movies.)

They had been trying on clothes for almost an hour when Lavender squealed, meaning that she found something she wanted to buy, and wanted her friends' approval. Hermione, Parvati, and Ginny went running into the changing rooms.

There stood Lavender, wearing a pair of dark blue jeans, and a light blue top that had ruffles down it, with short, angel sleeves and a v-neck that complimented Lavender's blonde hair beautifully.

Parvati took one look at Lavender's attire and started squealing and jumping up and down. "It's perfect," she said, "Seamus is going to love it!"

"Seamus?" Hermione said blankly.

"I'm sorry, I forgot to tell you," Lavender said, "I'm going to the ball with Seamus. We've been dating since the beginning of the year."

"Oh," Hermione said, "Ok." She turned to Parvati. "And who are you going with?"

Parvati sighed. "Blaise," she said simply.

Hermione smiled inwardly. They did make a kind of a cute couple.

It was at that precise moment that Ginny snapped back to reality. "Alright," she said, "Let's get busy and finish this up."

After another half hour of searching, Parvati and Ginny had also found their perfect outfits. For Parvati, a light pink halter top with light blue jeans. What suited Ginny was an aqua-greenish, off the shoulder top, and a black corduroy skirt that went down to a few inches above her knee. Hermione was the only one left, and she was becoming more and more frantic, wondering if she would ever find the perfect outfit.

As Hermione was beginning to give up hope, she found it. It was a white tank top that was short enough to show her belly button, with a brown corduroy pleated short skirt, and a matching corduroy fitted jacket in the same shade of brown. Hermione went to the fitting and tried it on. It fit perfectly, as if it was made for her.

The girls made their purchases, and then headed to The Three Broomsticks for lunch. They were supposed to meet Harry, Seamus, and Blaise there.

When they got there, they found that the boys had found a booth that fit 8 people and were sitting there, waiting for them. Once everyone was situated, the girls by their boyfriends, and Hermione next to Blaise and Parvati, everyone ordered their food, and they had a great time.

Once they finished their drinks, however, the couples' "actions" made Hermione feel a bit like a, umm, 7th wheel. So she got up and left the pub.

She decided to take a walk around the village. She had not gotten far when she heard a familiar voice behind her. "Mind if I walk with you?" Draco asked.

Hermione shook her head. "No, not at all."

For a few minutes, they walked in silence. When they got to the residential area, Hermione turned to Draco. "Can I talk to you a minute?" she asked.

"Yeah, sure," Draco said. "Let's go sit down."

When they found a bench and sat down, Hermione turned to Draco. "Why have you been acting so different lately?" she asked, "It seems as if you have something to prove."

Draco looked at her. "Well, I do sort of have something to prove. To you, to Potter, to everyone I guess. I want everyone to know that I've changed. That I'm not the horrible person that I once was."

Hermione's face softened. "Draco, you know you don't have to prove anything to me. I know you've changed. If you hadn't changed, we wouldn't be having this conversation, now would we?" She smiled and hugged him. "And if everyone else can't see by now that you've changed, then that's their problem."

Draco smiled, a genuine smile. "Thanks. Come on, let's go back to school."

When they reached the common room, Hermione said, "I can't believe that the ball's tomorrow. Time seems to have gone by so fast!"

Draco sat on the couch. "Yeah. It's so hard to believe that all the stuff that happened this year has actually happened."

Hermione nodded, and sat down also. "Yeah, who knew that we would actually be friends? That's definitely the surprise of the century, right?"

Draco smiled again. "Yeah, I guess it is."

Later that night, two teenagers lay awake in bed in rooms so close, and yet so far away, thinking about each other, and thinking about the ball looming ahead. Only one of them had the slightest inclination of what was to come. But perhaps it was better that way. If it had been different, then things might have turned out differently, and that would have been bad.

The morning of the ball dawned bright and clear. But there was promise later on, because the students could see clouds looming in the distance.

For most of the day, everyone in the Heads' Dormitory sat in the Main Common Room anxiously, waiting for the time that they would get ready.

%%%%% The Girl's POV %%%%%

When the time came, the girls went up to Hermione's bathroom, which they had previously deemed big enough for them all to get ready in.

First, everyone changed into their outfits. Then, Hermione watched as Ginny, Lavender, and Parvati took turns doing each other's hair and makeup. When they finished, they turned to Hermione with evil grins on their faces. Parvati looked at Ginny and Lavender. "Let's go girls," she said, "We have work to do."

As they began to walk towards her, Hermione quickly said, "Oh, you really don't have to do this. I think I'll just go like this."

"Nonsense, nonsense," Ginny said, "Even if Malfoy is a jerk, you should still look your best." And with that, Hermione was succumb to the beauty- crazed girls.

When they were done, Hermione looked at her reflection in the mirror and smiled. She actually didn't look that bad. Her hair was in curls, as if it had been wrapped around curling irons with different sized barrels. Her makeup was neutral, and he face seemed to glow.

She turned to the other girls, Thanks guys, you're the best. Come on. Let's go!"

The Boy's POV

When the girls had left, Blaise said, "Alright, to the dormitory." He led the way, with Seamus following. Harry got up slowly and began to head to the dormitory. The was when he noticed a solitary figure, heading dejectedly towards the Head's stairs. At that moment, Harry Potter made a decision that changed everything.

"Malfoy," he said.

Draco turned around, the look of surprise evident on his face. "Yes?" he asked.

"Where are you going?"

"To get ready for the ball. Now, if you'll excuse me," Draco said, and turned to leave once again.

"Malfoy," Harry repeated.

Draco turned around yet again. "What now?" he asked.

"Why don't you get your clothes and come down and get ready with us?"

Draco nodded his head. "Alright," he said, and went to get his clothes. When he returned, Harry was still there.

Draco looked at him. "Can I ask you a question?" he asked.

Harry smirked. "You just did, but go on."

"Why are you doing this? Being to nice to me. I mean."

Harry sighed. "You've changed this year, Malfoy, and whatever Hermione sees in you now, I guess I'm starting to see it too. Now it's my turn to ask you a question."

Draco nodded. "Alright, shoot."

"Do you like Hermione?" Draco's eyes widened a bit and a bit of a reddish tint crept into his cheeks. Before he could answer, though, Harry said, "I thought so, and, surprisingly enough, I don't mind. Anyways, come on, let's go."

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Alright. Here it is. Don't hate me for leaving it there. I do it for the best. Please review everyone. Bye.

Oh, And P.S. I'm going to change my name to "SOBs 4 Sirius 223" sometime soon. Not sure when, but probably by the time I post the next chappie. In fact, I'm going to do that right now. Bye guys.