Hermione's POV
"Hermione, come on!" Draco turned away from her and quickly walked down the hall. Hermione stared after him in confusion. She took a hesitant step out of the entrance to the Gryffindor tower. As Draco neared the end of the hallway he turned back to her. "Come on!"
"Draco, wait! What's going on?" she hurriedly ran to catch up with the impatient Slytherin. She stopped by his side, panting to catch her breath.
"Prefects' meeting! I can't believe you, Hermione Granger, of all people forgot we had a meeting."
"Oh my God!" she groaned. "How could it have slipped my mind?"
"You're losing it, Granger." Draco smirked. Hermione rolled her eyes in aggravation. "Everyone is there, everyone but you that is. And of course I got stuck having to look for you. They think I'm your keeper or something." Draco smirked again, loving the look on Hermione's face as she heard his comment.
"Just, shut up and tell me where we are meeting."
"Geez, cranky aren't we." he taunted. The look of murder in her eyes told him he had just better get her to the room. "It's this way." They turned the corner and found themselves standing outside one of the old classrooms. Draco pushed aside the door and they both entered. Hermione blushed as all the eyes fell upon her.
"It's good of you to finally join us." Professor McGonagall stated from her seat at the head of the table in the middle of the room.
"Sorry, the meeting just slipped my mind." Draco and Hermione took their appointed seats at the front of the table next to McGonagall. Hermione looked over to Ron, who was seated about five seats down from her. He completely avoided her gaze and focused on the boy next to him. Hermione sighed and then turned her attention to the head of her house.
"As you all know it is nearing the time for the great Halloween Ball! Now, we need to determine what we are doing this year. Any suggestions?" One sixth year Ravenclaw raised her hand.
"We could have a theme. Everyone would have to dress according to it. Like it could be, witches and wizards of the fifteenth century." Another boy raised his hand, a seventh year Hufflepuff.
"Too many people would be dressed alike then."
"Yes, yes, I see both your points. it's a very good idea though, but I must agree with Nathan." The older Hufflepuff smiled his triumph over the Ravenclaw. "Any other ideas?" Hermione raised her hand.
"Yes, Hermione?"
"Instead of having a set theme maybe it could be have everyone go in groups and the groups could chose their own theme."
"Yes, yes, very good, Mrs. Granger. I like that. Anyone else?" Draco's hand went up reluctantly.
"Why don't we just have it so you can come without costume?" A moan went up through the room.
"Aw, come on, Malfoy!" "That's no fun." and many more complaints were announced. Draco scowled at everyone.
"I was just making a bloody suggestion!"
"That's enough! Silence!" The whole room quieted at the sound of McGonagall's voice. "Now, all in favor of Hermione's idea raise their hands." Hands shot into the air. Hermione looked around, pleased with herself at having had another brilliant idea. All the hands were up with the exception of two. Draco sat, arms folded, still scowling, facing the table top. Ron sat glaring at the wall opposite him, both arms at his side. Hermione's heart fell. She had to make things right with Ron soon or she didn't know how she would stand it.
"Well it's decided then! All will go in themed groups. Now, who will do what? We need posters made to show the theme, decorations made and set up, music booked, etcetera." She went down the table, asking for volunteers. As the positions filled up McGonagall neared Hermione. "Now, you and Draco will work together. What would you like to do?"
"Not be with her would be nice." Draco drawled, receiving a hateful look from Hermione.
"We will set up decorations if you please."
"Yes, ok that will be fine." Hermione turned her attention back to the table when the professor spoke again.
"Now, as headgirl and boy you must go as a group, therefore you will dress in theme with one another and you will dance together. I'm sure that won't be a problem." She left and went to finish arranging the other prefects, leaving Draco and Hermione to stare in horror at one another. The meeting was adjourned once all the positions and final details had been worked out. Hermione quickly bolted for the door, eager to get back to their common room. Draco followed suit. Ron brushed past Hermione jostling her so that she almost fell had not Draco been standing beside her. He held out his hand to steady her. Hermione felt her eyes water yet again at the thought of having lost her best friend. She quickened her pace and soon found herself standing outside the portrait to her room. She was about to speak the password when it suddenly came from another's mouth.
"Together." came that familiar drawl. Draco stood behind Hermione and gently pushed her into their room. "I take it the Weasel is still being a jerk then?" Hermione shook her head, afraid that she would not be able to speak. "Perhaps I should go beat some sense into that dim head of his."
"No, Draco."
"Why not?"
"He's still my best friend whether he believes so or not and I can't let you hurt him."
"He hurt you." Hermione closed her mouth, unable to think of a come back. Draco was right but she still couldn't hurt Ron anymore than she had already. Draco shook his head at her stubbornness. He turned and walked toward his bedroom. "Good night, Hermione."
"Night, Draco." she replied. After he had walked into his room and closed the door she went into her own room. She lay in bed and thought everything over. She finally fell asleep to the thought of Draco.
Draco's POV
Draco woke early the next morning and headed out to the common room. He sat on the couch and read over his potion's essay that was due on the next day. Just as he reached the last three inches of it Hermione's bedroom door swung open. A very happy looking Hermione came rushing out of it holding a pad of paper. She came running over to Draco and threw herself down on the couch next to him. She looked up at Draco expectantly, while hardly hiding her excitement.
"Good God, Granger. Why the hell are you so happy this morning and what makes you think you can come barging in on my couch?" Hermione huffed and held out her paper. Draco looked down at it and saw two sketches looking back at him. He looked back at Hermione, one eyebrow raised in question.
"Our costumes! I thought of the perfect theme last night!" Draco looked back at the drawings and slowly nodded.
"You have got to be kidding." Hermione's face fell but she kept up her persistent attitude.
"Oh come on! You've got to admit it would be perfect!" Draco shook his head and looked up at Hermione. He saw the look of anticipation in her eyes, begging him to agree.
"I, I guess it could work. It's not like I've thought of anything but still! I'll never hear the end of it if I go like that."
"But can you imagine the looks on their faces when we enter through the door. It'll be priceless!" Draco shook his head and stood up from the couch.
"Fine, but you are making the costumes." He left Hermione sitting on the couch, looking, if possible, happier than when she had burst in this morning.
Hermione's POV
The days passed by quickly for Hermione. She busied herself with preparations for the ball. She and Draco worked many hours at perfecting the decorations and working on their costumes. She spent many more nights talking with Ginny before Halloween. Before she knew it the day of the ball was upon her.
"Draco! Are you finished hanging the ribbons yet?" Hermione called from the other side of the Great Hall.
"Yes, for the last bloody time I'm done!" he called back in annoyance at having been asked for the third time. "Are we done yet? I want to go back to our room sometime before this mess starts."
"Now, Draco, I want this to be perfect!" Hermione yelled back at him while charming the last of the pumpkin candles. She took a look around the room. All the decorations seemed to be in order. They had woken early that morning and had headed straight for the Great Hall. They had been working all day and it was nearly 4 p.m. The ball would start in three hours. She sighed contently at having accomplished her mission. "I guess we should leave and go start to get ready. This took more time than I thought. Come on, I hope your costume fits right, Draco." He shook his head and followed the Gryffindor out of the room. As they entered their common room Hermione ran off into her room leaving Draco to look after her in a daze. She had run nonstop all day and showed no signs of slowing anytime soon. She came back out with Draco's costume draped over her arm.
"Well, come on, Draco. Try it on, we don't have all night." She thrust the outfit at him. He stared down at it, eyes wide and unbelieving. He shook his head and marched off into his room. Hermione ran into her own and threw her own costume on. After an hour or so of making sure she looked perfect she emerged from her room. Draco was already in the common room, looking hatefully at his costume.
"I can't believe you. There is no way I'm going out in this."
"Too bad, you have to. We are headboy and girl and we have to attend, in costume. It's too late to get a new one so looks like your stuck with that one." Hermione smirked at him. "Now come over here, I have to add the finishing touches." Draco groaned loudly but made his way over to her. She raised her wand to his hair and said the charm. She then turned the wand on her own hair and repeated the process. They walked out together and headed for the Great Hall.
They stood before the doors of the Hall, Draco still pleading with Hermione to go back to the room. Hermione ignored him as she pushed open the door. They stepped inside to see students from every house in elaborate costumes dancing and laughing and in general having a good time. They all stopped their merriment however when they saw who had entered the door. Colin Creevy stood beside the door. He had been elected to announce everyone's entrance and what they had come as. He stood, mouth agape looking at the two. Hermione looked at him expectantly when he finally managed to pull himself together.
"Uh, we have Hermione Granger dressed as, a Slytherin?" She nodded, receiving several gasps from the crowd. "And Draco Malfoy as, oh my God this can't be real, a Gryffindor!" More gasps and snickers rose from the room. Draco sent his most hate filled glare around the room.
"I hate you for this, Granger."
"Hey, it could have been worse, I was going to make you dress as Harry." The look of horror and disgust on Draco's face sent Hermione into hysteric laughter. Just as he opened his mouth to protest Ginny walked up to Hermione.
"What the hell are you wearing, Hermione?"
"I'm a Slytherin, Ginny. I figured that much would be obvious."
"Well, yea but WHY?!"
"I figured it might help to ease the tension between the houses if Draco and I dressed as each other in a way."
"Whatever you say, Mione." Ginny shook her head. "All though I have to admit, Draco makes a good Gryffindor." She laughed at him.
"Why I ought to,"
"Draco." Hermione sent him a warning look. He glared back but closed his mouth. Ginny gave Hermione a smile and a knowing look causing Hermione to blush. Draco looked over at her but got no response as to why she was all of a sudden bright red. "So are Harry and Ron here yet?"
"No, I don't think so."
"Oh, ok. By the way, Ginny what are you?"
"Well, I'm a gypsy of course! A bunch of the girls in my year dressed as a band of gypsies."
"Oh, I see. I love your costume!"
"Thanks! Wish I could say the same to you. All though you do make the best Slytherin ever!" Ginny and Hermione laughed. "Well, I better get over to my group before the leave me. I'll talk to you later." Ginny left and walked away.
"Well, I guess we should dance." Hermione looked up at Draco, shocked that he had suggested it. He held out his hand to her. She wearily looked at it before placing her own in his grip. He led her out to the middle of the dance floor. Draco looked into her eyes as he placed his hands on her, one on her waist, one on her shoulder. He pulled her closer as she hesitantly threw her arms around his neck. Hermione stiffened. A whispering voice spoke in her ear.
"Relax, you know I won't hurt you." She felt herself slip into his voice, losing her stiffness. They swayed with the music, never missing a beat. As the song slowed Hermione felt her head drawn to his shoulder. She rested it there breathing in his scent. Her head swirled as she took it all in. Draco moved as if he had been born dancing this way. Never had she seen anyone move so fluidly.
Draco's POV
He closed his eyes as the music and the feel of Hermione so close to him carried him away. He held her tighter to himself, afraid the moment would cease to exist if he let her go even just a little bit. He moved his head down closer to hers. He inhaled the smell of her shampoo. She smelled of vanilla in the summer time. He moved his hand to the small of her back, slowly rubbing small circles with his thumb. Everyone else in the room were gone as long as they were together. He relaxed more than he had in years at that moment. Hermione moved closer to him. They continued to move around the floor, always keeping rhythm. Draco sighed with contentment. If only he could never let go. The song slowed as it came to a end. Draco stopped moving but made no attempt to release the beautiful young Gryffindor. She raised her head to look around. Harry and Ron were slowly making their way through the crowd toward her. Draco saw her raise her head and followed her gaze. He loosened his hold on her as she pulled away. He felt his heart fall as he lost touch with Hermione. He wearily watched Potter and Weasley come up to them. He moved to stand behind Hermione, ready to move if either of them tried to hurt her.
Hermione's POV
Hermione watched as her two best friends neared. Ron had his face down and Harry, for the first time since they stopped talking, looked alert with his eyes meeting Hermione's.
"Hermione, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for being such a jerk. I never should have listened to Ron here, he totally blew it out of proportion. Ginny came and talked to us and made us see the truth. I may not agree with your, uh, choice but as long as you're happy."
"Oh, Harry!" Hermione threw her arms around his neck in an embrace. "You don't know how much this means to me." Tears started to fall down her face, but for once they were from joy, not the pain she'd gotten to know so well. Ron looked menacingly up at Draco.
"You just tell us if the git hurts you, Mione. I'll put him in his place."
"Ron, don't worry. I've said it before, I can take care of myself." Ron snorted.
"Well, isn't this sweet and touching. If you don't mind I'm gonna go hurl now." Draco drawled from where he was standing. Ron started turning red and raised his fist.
"Watch it Ferret!"
"Oh, you're just ssssoooo scary, Weasel." Hermione stepped between the two.
"STOP! I will not let you fight. I just got my best friends back and I will be damned if I let the fighting start up again." Harry hugged Hermione again, receiving a hateful look from Draco. He pulled back as Ron gave her a long missed hug.
"I'm so sorry, Mione. I just wasn't thinking."
"Big surprise there." She joked. She looked up and saw Harry eyeing something on the other side of the room. She followed his gaze to see Ginny at the other end of it. She walked over to Harry and whispered in his ear, "Go for it." She pulled back without waiting for a response. He looked over at her, a smile crossing his face. He turned to Ron.
"I'll, I'll be back in a bit, Ron." Ron looked over at his best friend as he turned to go after Ginny. A light clicked on in Ron's eyes.
"Oh no you don't, Harry. That's my baby sister!" He ran after the raven haired boy. Hermione smiled at the scene before her, not noticing Draco's hand on her shoulder.
"Come on." She turned to him at the sound of his voice. Before she could say anything she was wrapped in Draco's arms once again as the music started.
Author's POV
All the professors sat at the head table, watching the young teenagers dance the night away. Dumbledore sat at his usual seat. He eyed the head students with a knowing smile clear on his face. Professor Snape sat to his side and leaned over.
"I never thought your theory would be correct, Sir, but it does seem so now."
"Yes, yes, Severus. All is working out just fine." Dumbledore lowered his vision from his two prize students to follow that of the rest of the dream team. Harry was dancing close to Ginny, with Ron watching over them constantly telling Harry and Ginny that they were too close.
"Harry, get away from my sister!"
"Oh, Ron, relax! He's fine right where he is." Ginny snapped at him, pulling Harry closer and turning even redder when Harry looked at her in surprise. Dumbledore sighed.
"My, what it was like, young and in love." Snape glared at the headmaster before moving slowly away from him. Dumbledore caught this in the side of his eye and laughed.
"You're just sore because you've never had that experience, Severus." Snape eyed him with pure hate now, before turning back to watch his godson dance with the know-it-all.
Draco's POV
They danced late into the night, staying as close as possible to each other. As the students around them started to thin out and head back to their dorms, or to the parties that were sure to follow Draco led Hermione over to the Main Doors. He took her hand in his and together they walked out to the lake. The moon light shone above them, illuminating their surroundings in a heavenly glow. Hermione looked down at the ground.
"I had fun, Draco."
"So did I. I wish it had never ended." He sat down at the edge of the lake, pulling her down beside him. Hermione moved to sit closer to him. Draco placed his arm around her shoulders and leaned into her.
"Draco, why have you changed this year?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, you're being, nicer, to me."
"I, I don't know. I just can't find it in me to hurt you anymore."
"It's nice, I like the new you." Hermione smiled, looking up at Draco. Draco looked down at her and raised his hand to her head. He ran his fingers through her hair, that was now green and silver striped from the charm she had placed on it for the dance.
"You make a beautiful Slytherin queen you know that?" She laughed and playfully punched him on the arm.
"I have never been more insulted." She taunted. Her eyes met his bright gold and red hair and she couldn't help but to smirk. "Ginny was right, you do make a good Gryffindor." Draco smirked back.
"And you thought I had insulted you." They laughed and pulled each other closer. Draco reached out to his side and picked up a stone. Then with a flick of his wrist he sent it gliding across the surface of the lake.
"How did you learn to do that?"
"I just taught myself when I was little. I always used to skip stones on the lake at the Malfoy Manor."
"I've always wanted to learn." Draco picked up another stone and placed it in Hermione's hand.
"Just throw it softly and let it hit the water." Hermione threw it and it landed with a 'Splash' into the depths of the lake. Draco laughed. "Here let me help." He gave her another stone and then took her hand in his and gently threw the rock with her, guiding her motions. The stone flew from their hands and landed lightly on the water and skimmed the top. Draco helped her with several more stones before she finally got the hang of it. They stayed seated there laughing until the moon had reached far overhead.
"It's getting late, we should start to head back in." Draco pulled Hermione onto her feet. They stood facing each other, Draco with his hands resting in hers. He pulled her forward so that their lips met. He savored the taste of her. His mind drifted away into the kiss. He held her close to her, not daring to break apart, even for breath. A soft moan escaped Hermione's throat. She pushed back into him, deepening the kiss even more. As Draco felt her run her fingers through his hair a bright flash along with a pop sounded from their right. They ignored it, absorbed in only each other.
"My son, you disgust me!" Draco's head flew up at the sound of that to familiar voice. Lucius Malfoy stood staring at them from a few feet away. "I come to find the heir of the great pureblood Malfoy family with that Mudblood tramp. This will not settle well with the Dark Lord, Draco. Come here." Draco stepped away slightly from Hermione but made no move toward his father. "I said come here, boy!" Draco raised his wand as did Lucius. "So you wish to stay with filth do you? I'll just have to take care of that." He raised his wand to point at Hermione. "Avada" Draco saw the flash of light emit from his father's wand. He quickly, without thought, stepped between the wand and the Gryffindor.
"Kedavra!"
AN hehe i know im so mean! i just had to stop here though SORRY!!! it's longer and i hope ya liked it! please tell me what you think! I hope it all flows and I'm sorry if its kinda sappy but o well. hopefully ill hav the next chap up soon! ive got most of it planned but none of it writen so i'll work on it as much as i can! thanks to everyone who reviewed!!! you guys are way to nice! please review!!! your reviews are what keeps me typing! THX AGAIN moseysdragon
ps:!!! i don't know how long it's gonna take me to get the next chap out and since i left you in such a bad spot...hehehe... if ya can't wait just email me and i mite give ya some hints bout the next chap...like if he's gonna die... poor draco! hehe im just so evil! THX