A/N: Ah! So much has happened! Ginny is locked in a cell! Hermione and Harry are still broken up! And Lavender has a plan! But I have worked hard on this chapter so you all must leave wonderful reviews.

The Price of Love

Chapter 8: A Wizard's #1 Holiday

Hermione POV

The day of the dance came all to quick. It was still light out when I started to get ready. I had already taken my shower without having to see Harry. I had moved all my cosmetics into my room by the vanity mirror that I had. I was trying to relax before hand and pulled open one of my muggle books. Reading had always calmed me down but now nothing was working. I looked and saw my newly made tiara that was resting on its pillow by the rest of my hair accessories. It was gold and curved in all directions, ultimately forming a heart. Small red gems had been placed in random places and it was very beautiful.

Over hanging in the front of my closet was my dress. I had picked it up in Hogsmeade earlier today. It was a deep scarlet red designed in an old fashion manner. The long sleeves dripped down. There was a sash for my waist that was made a golden material. It was a low cut but it was perfect for tonight.

In frustration I slammed my book close and threw it on my bed in front of me.

"Who am I kidding? I am not going to survive tonight without tears." I said.

I looked over at the blank picture frame that I had received from Harry for Christmas last year. I picked it up and held it in my hands as a memory appeared on the screen. I recognized it quickly as last years Halloween Ball. That year Harry and Ron dressed up like each other and Lavender and I dressed up like each other.

I saw as how Draco took me away from Harry. I saw myself struggling to get away. I saw myself searching for my boyfriend in the crowds. I saw myself find Ron and him tell me what Ginny had plotted this time. Then finally before I let go, I saw myself hit Ginny Weasley.

"I don't understand, everything was perfect, no matter what Ginny threw at me and Harry, we dodged it." I whispered to myself. "Lavender was right."

I decided it was time to get ready. I knew it would take quite some time to fix my hair. After a total of one hour and 35 minutes, I was done. My hair was back in some design I found in a witch magazine. My make up was perfect in everyway. My dress fit perfectly on me. The last thing left to do was put my tiara on. I reached for it when there was a knock on my door.

"I didn't hear anyone open the common room door." I said. "Hold on."

The knocking continued though.

"Fine, if you want to do it yourself, the doors open." I said as I went to go grab my robe.

My door opened and shut as Lavender made her way into my room.

"How did you get in?" I asked.

"Harry let me in." Lavender answered me. "Ready to go."

I looked at myself in the mirror with my coat on then decided that I looked better without it. I pulled it off and turned around and looked at my reflection. I turned to look at Lavender.

"What do you think?" I asked.

"Your beautiful." Lavender said.

"I hope so."

"Harry will never realize why he let you go." Lavender smiled. "All you need is this."

Lavender reached out and grabbed my tiara and, since she is taller than me, fixed it on my head.

"There you are my queen." Lavender said bowing.

"Cut it out." I said.

Lavender was wearing Quidditch robes for a change. I could recognize them as Ron's favorite team. "Nice outfit Lav." I said motioning to her outfit.

"Ron picked them out." She said disgusted.

"That's really cute." I commented.

"Yeah, it wasn't as fun as last year." Lavender said.

"Don't remind me." I snapped.

"Well, common, let's get going." Lavender said as she grabbed my wrist and pulled me out the door. I locked it behind me. There was no one besides us in the common room as we made our way out to the empty hallway.

"Lavender." I started.

"Yeah?" she asked.

"How was Harry? I mean when he answered the door." I asked.

"He was just on his way out. He let me in and told me you were in your room." Lavender answered.

"Oh." I just said.

"Why?" Lavender asked with a smirk on her face.

"No reason." I lied.

"Hermione, we both know that you're lying." Lavender said.

"Lavender, I'd rather not talk about it right now." I told her.

"You brought it up." Lavender snapped.

"Miss Granger!" I heard my name being shouted. Lavender and I were just making our way into the first floor when I saw Professor McGonagall come running towards me.

"Yes Professor?" I asked.

"Miss Brown, please continue into the ball. Miss Granger please follow me." Professor McGonagall ushered me to follow her.

She led me into a small room by the Great Hall; it was lit by candles and none other than Harry was in there as well. I almost tripped over my feet. Harry was wearing what you would expect a king in the medieval ages to wear. His crown of gold and red gems just like mine was laid upon his messy black hair.

"What's this for?" I asked quickly trying not to make eye contact.

"Well, you'll both be announced into the ball together as King and Queen. This also applies to the Winter Ball. You'll walk arm in arm up to your seats by the teachers. You also will begin the dancing." Professor McGonagall said briefly.

I knew it! I knew that I would have to do something like this. I knew that one way or another I would be stuck with Harry all night.

"I'll be back in a short while. In the meantime, stay here while I make sure there all ready for you." And with that she left us alone.

Damnit. I keep my eyes on the floor but knew the entire time Harry was looking at me. "Hermione." Harry broke the silence.

I looked up at him and met him in his eyes. There it was, the sparkle that I had missed for all these days. It was the same sparkle that I saw that day he asked me to Hogsmeade.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"I don't know how to say this." Harry said.

"Say what?" I asked.

"'Mione." Harry started.

"Don't you dare." I snapped.

"What?" Harry asked.

"Don't say my name like you used to. As if nothing had happened between us." I said, I could feel a lump forming in my throat.

"And I wished it didn't happen." Harry said.

I looked back up. "What?"

"These past few days, have been hell. I couldn't stop thinking about your smile. I missed your laugh. I missed being with you. Lavender was right yesterday. Nothing is going to come between us, not anymore." Harry said.

Suddenly my world flipped all back to normal. The sparkle in Harry's eye changed every bad thing I wanted to yell at him. The part of me that hated him for making me so depressed vanished. My body went on autopilot and my heart took over. I found myself flinging my arms over Harry as he embraced me in a hug.

"You have no idea what I have been though." I said.

"Tell me." Harry asked.

"I," I started as I pulled away from him and let my arms drop to my side. "I missed the way your hand always found mine in the corridors. I missed the way you said my name. I missed playing with your crazy hair. I missed the way your eye would sparkle like that." I said all at once. "I missed the way that you always knew what I was thinking. I missed how you were always there. I missed how I would hate to wait until the end of every class just to see you."

"I missed you too 'Mione." Harry said.

Suddenly, the door opened and Professor McGonagall came back in.

"Common then." Professor McGonagall said as we all left the room. "You can thank your friend Lavender later Hermione."

"Why?" I asked.

"She is the one who came up with this whole idea, she said that you too should be announced into the dances and what-not here. Her and Ron came and ran the idea through Professor Dumbledore and me. Dumbledore thought it was a perfect idea." She answered. "But wait until you here your names announced to come in and then the doors will open and then walk in. Slow but at a steady rate and walk on the same foot both of you."

I laughed inside. 'I guess were even now.'

The doors closed behind her as she entered then we stood in front of them again.

Harry held his arm out for me. "Are you ready my Queen?" Harry asked.

"As always." I answered. I slipped my hand though Harry's arm and waited while we both listened.

"Welcome to our Halloween Ball." We could hear Dumbledore from inside. "For you first year students, you should know, that this is a wizard's or witch's number one holiday. Now, before we get our ceremonies started. Let us welcome your Hogwarts King and Queen, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger."

The doors opened and revealed the Great Hall to both of us. Every student was staring as us. Harry and I automatically both started on our right foot down the aisle. We passed all the students and at the Gryffindor table, Lavender and Ron whispering to themselves. They had already knew what had happened and where clapping along with everyone else.

As soon as the feast was over, everyone was quietly talking between himself and herself. Dumbledore stood up and quieted everyone down.

"Now, that your stomachs are full. Let's start the dancing. For our opening dance, we will have our King and Queen step out onto the dance floor and start us off."

Harry and I stood up together as one. His hand found mine as we made our way to the empty floor that appeared in the center of the stage. The music began as soon as we began dancing. I think this is what it feels like to be in heaven. Too soon did Dumbledore invite everyone to join us. Dresses were twirling everywhere around us. Soon enough though, the song changed to a slow one and I immediately felt Harry's hands slide around my waist and I slipped mine around his neck.

The candles dimmed and all I could think about was how great everything could get in a matter of a couple of hours. I looked up and saw that sparkle back in his eyes. Everything around us began to disappear and the only thing I cared about was he and I. I saw Harry move closer to me and soon enough, our lips were touching and we didn't care who saw.

Just as quick as everything began to become better. Everything became worst. Not even 10 seconds into Harry's kiss, and mine someone bumped into my back. I fell forward and looked behind me. A mask person was there. Looking at Harry and me.

"Terribly sorry you two." Said the mysterious person.

I breathed in sharply. "I know that voice." I breathed.

"So do I." Harry said.

A hand removed the mask away and suddenly, that slender face and blonde hair became visible. "Honestly did you miss me?"

"Malfoy." Harry said. "What are you doing here?" Harry asked grabbing his wand.

Before Harry even had a chance I felt myself being pulled in every direction. Before I knew it, Malfoy's hand was around my mouth and he was pulling me towards him. "I wouldn't do that if I were you Potter." Draco said. Then I suddenly realized that Draco's wand was pointed at my heart.

I suddenly panicked. My body froze as Draco continued on. "Ladies and Gentlemen may I have your attention. You wouldn't want to miss the downfall of the great Harry Potter."

Okay, now I was pissed.

I decided to take matters into my own hands, I kicked Draco's foot with my own and he let out a yelp. He let go of me and then I began to run towards Harry. My head was suddenly spinning. I remembering jumping and reaching my hands out for Harry, I felt his tips before I flew back again. I screamed out for the love of my life. Suddenly everything around me vanished as I fell onto a cold stone floor.

Harry POV

"HERMIONE!" I screamed.

I felt the tips of her fingers and then Draco screamed some crazy cursed and just like that they both disappeared. Everyone around me waited for me to say something. I had nothing left. Then a small sound echoed though the Great Hall. It was a gold tiara dropping on the ground. I dropped to my knees and picked it up in my hands. It was still warm from her hair. Just like the tears sliding down my face.