A/N: Thnx BIG TIME to ALL mi reviewers!!!! U guyz SOOO ROCK!!!!

I'm trying to update quicker bt as u all noe the administration is trying to suppress me creativity!!! Whoa, too many big words for today... LOL... Newayz, here's the next chapter!!! Enjoy!!!!

FlickFlick: Well, u noe wat they say... it's better to give than to receive... I wasn't exactly sober when I wrote that part... LOL just kidding!!!

RedAndGold4LeafClovers: Muchos Gracias!!!

SwTnDrEaMyPnAy03: As Miss America it is my duty to inform u that the author of this story gives her most esteemed thanks!!!! Hmm... now

THAT sounded good, didn't it? LOL

proud-2-b-a-sccrplyr: Thnx!!!

Rhyet The Dark Angel: That makes two of us!!!

dimondcrystal12: Umm, thnx... I think...

Piper-Loves-Leo: AWW!!! That is so totally sweet!!!

Lanetha Mercion: Merci Beaucoup!!! Tu es très gentille!!!

slyswn28: You nd me both, sistah!!!

madisontaylorkero: I was thrilled!!!

Follower001: Ur such a sweetie!!! begs like dog Chocolate Chip, pls!

The Million Dollar Question

Hermione woke up and dashed out of bed, barely able to contain her excitement. She didn't even bother to knock on the door as she slowly crept into his room, Draco still fast asleep. She knelt right beside his bed, nudging him to wake up.

"Malfoy?" she whispered, trying to wake him up but was unsuccessful. She tried again, nudging his arm a little harder this time. "Draco? It's time to wake up," she tried again, now getting annoyed, "fine!"

Slowly a smirk worthy of Malfoy appeared on the seemingly innocent Gryffindor...

"Drakey-Poo!" she cooed into his ear, "Wake up! It's me, Pansy, I've got something to show you..." she continued her voice slowly becoming high-pitched and seductive, "... you know want to see me like this,"

"PANSY! GET YOUR DAMN CLOTHES ON!" he shouted, now wide-awake, oblivious to the fact that Hermione was laughing uncontrollably in the corner.

"It's alright, Draco, it's only me. Pansy's not here. I was just trying to wake you up and there was no other way," she said, trying to keep a straight face but was failing miserably.

"That was NOT funny! Can you imagine how many years of therapy I would have to go through if that were actually true? I mean, Pansy is no spring chicke- wait a minute! Did you just call me Draco?" he asked, as his expression changed from anger to complete amusement.

"Well, I... umm... I... I guess I did," she stammered, unable to meet his eyes.

"I'll permit you to call me by my first name if you let me call you by yours," he said, grinning for no particular reason at all.

"Alright Draco," she said, as her face lit up, "you may call me by my first name. Anyways, the reason I came here was to thank you for buying me the costume. How did you know I wanted it?"

"I saw you in the shop. You looked like Christmas came early," he sniggered.

"Very funny, but it still was very sweet," she said as she walked towards him.

"I know," he smirked.

"Thank you," she said as she kissed on the cheek before hugging him, then leaving the room.

"You're welcome... Hermione" he whispered, blushing as she left the room...

"Nice boxers by the way" she shouted, laughing from outside as Draco heartily agreed.

Draco quickly got dressed as he pondered the incident that had just taken place. He walked out of his room to find Hermione doing the finishing touches on her 3 foot essay for History of Magic, even though today Saturday. Draco smirked as he saw her scribble away at the parchment, determined to perfect it.

"Are you always this pathetic?" he asked, still smirking.

"Get a life, Draco," she retaliated, not even looking up from her work.

"Touchy, aren't we? What happened to 'thank you, Draco' and 'that was so sweet'?"

"I wasn't exactly sober," she said finally looking up to see a pair of grey eyes, full of mischief.

"You wound me, Hermione. Let's see if I can change your opinion," he said as he strode towards her menacingly. In a flash he was on top of her, tickling her, showing no mercy.

"Dra-Drac-DRACO! Stop, please..." she gasped, between laughs.

"I'll let you go when you say..." he whispered in her ear.

"NO WAY! GET OFF OF ME!" she screamed.

"Not until you say it," he said in a sing-song voice.

"Fi-Fin-FINE! DRACO MALFOY IS THE MOST WONDERFUL GUY IN THE WORLD!" she shouted.

"Well done, Hermione. I'm glad you've accepted the truth," he grinned.

"NOW GET OFF ME!" she shrieked as she pushed him off, trying to regain what was left of her dignity.

"Denial is an ugly thing," he smirked as he watched her get up.

"Not as ugly as you, Draco. Oh, and I had my fingers crossed when I said that," she said as she stuck out her tongue at a very shocked Draco.

"Didn't know you had it in you, Hermione. Almost worthy of a Slytherin,"

"Almost, of course," she laughed.

"Well, we must be going. Shall I escort you down, Madam?" he asked while extending his arm, in which she linked hers with his.

"That's Mademoiselle to you, Mr Malfoy," she joked as they went down to the Hall, laughing at their charade.

The whole school was absolutely buzzing about the upcoming ball. Everyone was doing something; the boys busy getting last minute dates while the girls busy deciding which nail polish would suit best with their costume. It was, indeed, an important day.

Hermione and Draco were busy too, getting the last preparations sorted out. The Hall was simply amazing and none could deny it. Streamers and confetti encased the room in black and orange, not to mention the eerie-looking pumpkins staring at them from all angles. After Draco and Hermione had parted ways, she was stopped by Ginny, claiming she needed to tell her something important.

"HE ASKED ME OUT!" she squealed unable to contain her happiness.

"Who, Ginny, who?" asked Hermione, the suspense killing her.

"HARRY! When were on our way to the Great Hall he pulled me aside and asked me! Oh Hermione, I'm so happy," Ginny said, her smile stretching from ear to ear.

"That's great! We can get ready together before the Ball. Come to my dormitory and tell Harry to pick you up there. What time is it anyways?" Hermione asked, almost excited as her friend.

"Good idea! I'll tell Harry. It's... umm... hold on... OH MY GOSH! It's 4:45 already! We have to start preparing! Wait here," Ginny exclaimed as she dashed into the Common Room.

A few minutes later, Ginny returned with her costume having finished telling Harry the plans. She grabbed Hermione and left for her dormitory. They spent hours primping and preparing for the much-anticipated event. Ginny had her hair down, her straight hair reaching just below her shoulders. She had a crimson princess costume, whose sleeves flowed gracefully. Her make-up was amazing; dark pink eye shadow Hermione had not yet taken her costume out of the box. Her hair was tied up, her luscious curls dangling just above her neck. She had white eyeliner accentuated with eye shadow of the same colour. Body glitter smeared on each of the girls collarbones. As she finished putting on her costume, she noticed something left in the box. It was necklace and was magnificent. It was silver with diamond and emeralds, gleaming in the light.

"Hermione! Where did you get that?" gasped Ginny, as she looked at the necklace in awe.

"Draco gave it to me," blushed Hermione.

"Well, put on. Wow, it looks great! There's something missing though... hmm... what could it be... oh yeah!" she said, as she waved her wand at Hermione. Instantly, the sleeves on Hermione's costume disappeared leaving her strapless.

"Ginny! Put my sleeves back!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Get over it, 'Mione. You look great now let's go. The boys are waiting, you know," she said as she left Hermione staring, and then simply followed her down to the Common Room.

The boys were indeed waiting, but the tension was soon split when the girl sauntered into the room. Draco and Harry's mouths fell open as Hermione and Ginny walked up to their dates. Hermione walked up to Draco and closed his mouth with her index finger, as did Ginny.

"Draco, you're going swallow a fly that way," she laughed.

"Let's hope he chokes on it," muttered Harry.

"Harry," warned Hermione.

"Forget it, Hermione, we better get going anyways. Shall we?" he asked, once again offering his arm.

Hermione took it and said, "Are courting me, Mr Malfoy?"

"What ever gave you the idea, Miss Granger?" and with that they left, leaving Ginny and Harry to their own affairs.

Everyone was surprised to see Hermione and Draco waltzing into the Hall, happily chatting. They could see the laughter in Hermione's eyes and the warmth in Draco's smile. They danced the night away to music somewhat like Mozart until Hermione had just about enough.

"This music is so dull and fancy. Why can't we have something lively? Wait a minute! I know what to do, stay here, Draco," she said as she dashed off into the crowds.

"Yes, mistress," Draco replied sarcastically, obviously annoyed for being left alone.

Not long after, Hermione returned and at that moment the classical music changed to... Sean Paul's Get Busy?

"What the heck is this, Hermione?" Draco asked, though he was smiling.

"I thought this Ball needed a little spicing up," Hermione grinned.

"So, you wanna grind?" asked Draco, smiling playfully.

"Sure," Hermione said as they went onto the middle of the dance floor and started dancing.

Everyone was amazed, including Draco, at the fact that bookworm Granger could act so enrapturing. If you didn't know them you'd think they were together or something, the way they danced. Hermione was laughing while Draco wrapped his arms around her waist as they danced. Draco was lost in her scent of vanilla, as he felt her body close to his. While this was happening, Ron was watching the scene with utmost hatred and jealousy. He could not believe that Hermione would just let that ferret hold her and that she was actually enjoying it. He couldn't believe that Malfoy, of all people, would be the one to dance with her like that. He wanted to take his butterbeer and shove it up Malfoy's a-

"Ron, what are you doing here? Aren't you gonna come and dance?" asked Harry.

"Can you believe them, Harry? I mean, why would 'Mione even let him go near her? Maybe Malfoy put a spell on her..." he rambled, appealed by the idea that Draco was making Hermione dance and that it was not of her own free will.

"I don't know, Ron. She seems really happy, more than I've ever known. We need to be supportive no matter what, that's what best friends are for. Even if it is Malfoy," Harry said with some sympathy, knowing how Ron fancied Hermione.

"Whatever, Harry. I'm gonna get myself another drink," he muttered.

In the meantime, Draco and Hermione were sitting by the lake, the moonlight shimmering across the water.

"I didn't know you could dance like that, Hermione," said Draco.

"Well, I've been dancing since I was 2 years old but I've never shown anyone, until now," she said, walking until she was beside him.

"Lucky me," he laughed as he turned around, his eyes locking into hers.

Big mistake.

Before they knew it, he gradually felt his arms around her, while her hands resting on his chest. Their heads bent forwards, his lips brushing against hers. They kissed, imaginary fireworks bursting in the air. Is this lust or... love... thought Hermione. Ah yes, the million dollar question that all teenagers ask... and only few find the answer. Even so, while they both were savouring the moment, someone not far away could be heard shouting in surprise...

"Hermione! What the hell do you think you're doing?"

A/N: SEVEN FREAKIN PAGES NDA CLIFFIE? Unbelievable, huh? Hope u guyz liked the chappie!!! Again, I'd like to thank my awesome reviewers, I LOVE U GUYZ!!! Gives Internet Hug Newayz, I'll try to update soon bt in the meantime... PLEASE REVIEW!!! Thnx!!!