Chapter Five

The Ball

A/N: First of all, I would like to thank dancerrdw, eckles, and paulalou for their reviews! This chapter is for you! And how I love Draco Malfoy… but I love him more in this story…

Hermione was about to go to the library from her Arithmancy class when Draco Malfoy blocked her way with Pansy Parkinson.

"Alone, Granger?" said Pansy who's grinning.

"Can't you see, Pansy, Weasley's not here. He's with that veela. Oh, does it hurts, Mudblood?" said Malfoy sardonically.

"Will the two of you get out of my way?" said Hermione impatiently. But Malfoy and Pansy just laughed.

"Didn't you hear her? She said get out of her way."

Hermione and the other two turned. It was Fleur. Before leaving, Malfoy whispered to Hermione, "You're lucky, your rival came. Now I know why Weasley selected that veela over you." and left with satisfaction in his face.

"Are you alright, Hermione?" asked Fleur in a really concern voice.

Hermione smiled at her. "Yes. Thank you. Where are you going, anyway?"

"At the library," she replied.

"Good. I was about to go there too. Let's go." Truly, she was grateful in what Fleur did for her though those other things that she was doing were the ones who really hurt her.

They reached the library with Fleur asking herwith many things and mostly, about the Weasleys.

"Well, Mrs. Weasley is making sweaters for her children and she's also making some for her children's friends." Hermione whispered to Fleur. They occupied the table wherein Madame Pince wouldn't able to spy them.

"Really? Are you receiving one?" asked Fleur with amusement in her voice.

"Yes." Thinking Fleur would be upset with what she had said but it was the other way around. Fleur became excited and that made Hermione upset.

"I think Mrs. Weasley is a—"

"So you're there."

Hermione jumped because it was Ron who's at her back and she was sure of that.

"Ron! You have the book?"

Hermione saw that the books were about dragons when Ron handed it to Fleur. Those were the books that Hagrid borrowed in their first year days.

Then Ron sat beside Hermione but she's not looking at him.

When Ron turned his head to his seatmate, he was not mistaken. It was Hermione. Then she looked at him.

"What are going to do with those books? And it's about dragons. Ron, you know that taking care of dragons is forbidden," snarled Hermione.

"Of course, I know that!" said Ron impatiently.

"Then why do you have to borrow those books? Does Hagrid has something to do with this?" quietly but firmed said Hermione.

"If Hagrid has something to do with this, you and Harry should be involved!" Ron wanted to shout it to Hermione but he's aware that Madam Pince was there. Ron opened the book.

"Then why?"

"I told him to borrow those books," said Fleur blankly. Hermione raised an eyebrow. "But why?"

"You've nothing to do with this, Hermione," said Ron coldly.

"No, Ron. It's okay. I'm studying something about dragons and the reason, that's the secret."

Hermione looked at her. Fleur was smiling. Hermione sighed.

"And I have to consult something to Hagrid. Thanks, Ron, Hermione."

Fleur was about to kiss Ron on his cheeks when Ron turned. But there's no use of turning back, Fleur had kissed Ron in his lips.

Hermione stared open- mouthed. She could feel the tears in her eyes but before it fell, Ron's and Fleur's lips were apart. Fleur said "sorry" as well as Ron. Then Fleur left the library.

Ron remembered that there were other students. And Hermione was there, too. He looked at her, she was looking at him. She was astonished of what happened.

"Hermione, let me explain. It's just an accident. I- I didn't want it, I swear." But Hermione laughed a bit.

"You don't have to explain it. I understand. Finish with the books? I'm going to return it to Madam Pince and I'll be on our Potion Class." Then she grabbed the books from Ron and went to the librarian then get out of the library.

Everyone in the library was looking at him and whispering.

No. It's not what you all think. Then he packed his things and left.

Ron went to the Gryffindor Tower to look for Harry but he was not there. When he was in his way through the dungeon, he saw Draco Malfoy. And before he could escape, Malfoy had cornered him.

"So, you left a mudblood for a veela, eh, Weasel King?" said Malfoy then he grinned.

"Shut up, Malfoy!"

"Keeping your feelings for each other game. That's what you and Granger were playing. I love that game. But at least, you didn't end up with that mudblood."

Ron pulled his wand and Malfoy did the same.

"PETRIFICUS TOTALUS!" Ron shouted but the spells didn't reach Malfoy.

"Is that what you call spell? Let me show what a real spell is. STUPE-". But before Malfoy could finish the word, Severus Snape held his shoulders. He was with his class, including the seventh year of Gryffindor.

"Explain yourselves!"

"As you could see, Professor, Malfoy was trying to cast a spell on me." Then Ron pointed Malfoy.

"But Weasley was the first one to attack me!" defended Malfoy.

"Where's your evidence?" said Ron.

Even Snape has no choice. "Okay. Twenty points from Slytherins. Everybody! Go to the classroom!" Snape demanded.

But Malfoy couldn't walk. His legs were under the Petrificus Totalus spell that Ron cast a while ago.

"That's twenty points from Gryffindor. I'll take him to the hospital wing but proceed now to the classroom!"

Malfoy grinned at Ron and whispered, "Your mudblood stinks!" Ron was in a bad mood already and before anyone could hold him, Ron gave Malfoy a punch.

Everybody was shocked, even Snape. He could hear "Oh!" and Hermione was one of those. Snape looked at Ron furiously. "Another ten points from Gryffindor!" and he helped Malfoy to get up and quickly went to the hospital wing.

The whole class went to their classroom expect Ron. Harry and Hermione went closer to him.

"You shouldn't do it!" cried Hermione.

"Snape could take all the points from Gryffindor and expel me but I'll never regret doing it to Malfoy!" said Ron who's still angry.

"I bet that punch worth a lot! You should have hit him harder," said Harry happily and rather impress.

"Harry!" said Hermione then looked again to Ron, with full of concern, "Are you okay?"

Ron looked at her, blushing and said, "Don't worry, I'm fine."

Hermione smiled. "Let's go then."

"What happened to your Potion class?" asked Fleur. They were in the Great Hall, having their dinner.

"It's nothing to be worried about. Anyway, have you gone to the Owlery?"

"Oh, no, I forgot!" Fleur suddenly stood up. Ron followed.

"I'll come with you. See you later at the common room." Then they left. Hermione watched them as they disappeared from the huge door of the Hall then she sighed.

"Hermione! Good you're here." Ron returned to the common room but Fleur wasn't with him. Hermione was with Harry and Ginny. She looked at Ron, waited him to speak, expecting something and then Ron pulled an envelope from his pocket and handed it to her.

"Fleur forgot this one. This is for you."

Hermione opened the envelope but before she could look what's inside, Ron asked, "Who's the sender?"

She saw the logo of Durmstrang Institute. It's from Viktor Krum.

"It's from Viktor," said Hermione quietly.

"From who?" Ron asked again.

"From Viktor," Hermione answered him plainly.

"So that's from Vicky. It's nice, he keeps in touch." Ron said sarcastically.

"Don't call him Vicky, will you, Ron?"

"Just read the letter sis!" said Ginny excitedly.

Harry also showed interest but Ron didn't.

Dear Hermione,

How are you? I hope you're fine. I'm having lessons with English language so don't be surprised if I'm better in the language. "Just like Fleur," said Ginny.

I found out that Fleur will visit you when I saw her in Egypt last summer, so I decided to write and asked her give it to you. 'She have this letter for ages but because she was busy flirting Ron, she forgot about this letter.' Hermione thought.

I heard that Hogwarts will conduct something like Yule Ball. "What?!" said Ron, jumping from his seat and moved closer to the others. I would like to volunteer to be you pa—

Before Hermione could finish reading, Professor McGonagall entered the common room. She's with the other Gryffindor 6th and 7th year students and Fleur.

"Listen, everyone!" The other students in the room moved closer to Professor McGonagall then she rolled out a parchment. "This coming Christmas, Hogwarts will be conducting a ball. Remember the Yule Ball? We're having it again but this time, it's exclusively for 6th and 7th year."

"That's what's Victor's saying!" said Hermione, giggling.

Ron looked furiously at her but she was staring at the letter.

"You should have your partners but make sure that they're in 6th or 7th year."

Hermione raised her hand to Ron's surprise.

"Can we invite outsiders?"

Professor McGonagall looked at Fleur.

"Yes, Miss Granger but expect for Muggles, I think. No more questions? Then you can continue what you're doing and I'm expecting your best behaviors in the ball. Good night," then she left.

"So, that's what Viktor Krum was saying, isn't Hermione?"

"Yes, Harry."

"And don't tell me you're going to accept Vicky's invitation?" asked Ron lividly.

"Why not? As if you're not going out with a foreigner partner," said Hermione, as furious as Ron.

"But it's different!" said Ron impatiently.

"How is it differs? Isn't Fleur a foreigner, an outsider? Don't tell me, she had changed her nationality or what?" said Hermione sarcastically.

"But—"

"Ron, you're not leaving her behind, aren't you?" asked Harry. The four of them looked at Fleur. She was talking to Parvati Patil.

"Okay, but you're not going to accept Vicky's invitation, aren't you, Hermione?" asked Ron.

"Why shouldn't I? And for the last time, Ronald, don't call him Vicky." Then she stood up. "I'm going to bed. Good night."

Harry and Ginny knew that Ron and Hermione were in bad temper. Ginny said "Good night" to Harry and her brother then she followed Hermione.