insert evil authoress laughter here
Wow, I totally forgot about this story. Sorry! Thus, I'm posting the last chapter AND the epilogue. And I'm done apologizing for OOCness, because it is what it is and I can't rewrite it. It's even worse now that HBP came out… there's definitely no hope for Draco le sigh oh well.
A HUGE thank-you to everyone that has reviewed: CluelessProphet, Havok Sin, Crystal-Ice2, mippy, theglasspen, snowmouse, IcyCrystal, Jennifer Carter, lughnasadhfirecat, aaaand last but never ever least, Miss allaboutelephants22. Love you, twinnie. To all of you, I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment on my story! Sorry I couldn't respond to all of you individually.
Disclaimer: (Whee, last one) … Don't own it!
7. The Graduation Ball
The weeks flew by, and Draco and Hermione "dated" in secret. No one knew or found out; the couple only actually spoke to each other in Muggle Studies, or when they were alone, together, in their private common room. They weren't really a "touch-kissy" couple, they much rather enjoyed just being in each other's company, reading, talking, playing games, or just sitting together late at night.
Ron and Harry had sensed a change from Hermione; she was happier and spent more time talking and joking with them than in the library. They also noticed Malfoy's lack of insults lately. When they asked Hermione about this, she just shrugged and said, "I guess he's just grown up." Then she'd smile to herself, thinking of him.
Draco, on the other hand, spent less and less time around other Slytherins, preferring to be in his room thinking, and waiting for Hermione in the common room in the evenings whenever she would come back. They'd relate their day's events, discuss different projects, teachers, people, and whatever else came up.
Soon it was spring and time for the seventh years to start thinking seriously about upcoming events: N.E.W.T.'s and the ball. Students could be found frantically studying, while daydreaming about who their dates would be, what their outfits would look like. Not a very good combination…
Hermione and Draco were somewhat in charge of planning the ball, so they spent a lot of their time doing so; they could have been studying but practically had their books and notes memorized by heart, so it would have been pretty much a waste of time. They instead helped the staff plan, from the food to decorations, music to advertisement. The staff, themselves, were astonished by their cheerfulness when helping, and how well they got along with each other, and the teachers during the process.
Minerva McGonagall, who was the Transfiguration teacher and also head of Gryffindor house, asked Professor Dumbledore one day, "Do you have them under the Imperious Curse, Albus?"
The wise old Headmaster just smiled and shook his head.
"How then?" she demanded to know.
"I believe our young people have figured out a way to do it themselves," he said with the usual twinkle in his eye.
She gave him a questioning look but he didn't explain any further.
N.E.W.T.'s for the 7th years and O.W.L's for the 5th years started two week before the ball was scheduled. The exams were amazingly difficult, but many felt they did well, coming out grinning at having finished the last test they would ever take at Hogwarts. The last three days before the ball were lazy ones; students spent most of their time outside by the lake or in Hogsmeade, wandering cheerfully.
Hermione and some friends went there to shop for dresses and get their hair, nails, and make-up done. She decided on a dark red dress that had thin straps and a sheer scarf to be draped on her shoulders that matched the outer layer of the dress; it glistened like water.
The night of the ball was perfect: clear skies and a pleasant temperature. Draco and Hermione got ready quickly, and hurried down to the Great Hall, since they had to be there early, as Head Boy and Girl, to welcome the rest of the students in. Hermione stood nervously with her date, wondering what her friends would think of them going together.
"Calm down," Draco said with a laugh, taking her hands in his, and pulling her against him, "It'll be alright. If they can't handle us being together…" he let it hang there.
She looked up into his face, happy at the way things had worked out; never had she imagined spending a year with Draco Malfoy, then becoming friends with him, then falling in love with him and going willingly as his date to a ball.
She stood on her tiptoes and gave him a peck on the cheek, "Yes," she said, "everything will be alright."
Students started filling up the entry way outside the Great Hall, and when the clock struck 7 o' clock, Draco opened the doors, with Hermione by his side. "Welcome," he said loudly enough for everyone to hear, "to Hogwarts' annual Graduation Ball."
And so it started. It was Hermione and Draco's job to get the dancing going, and The Weird Sisters, the band that was playing, started off with a slow song. The couple instantly started dancing, embracing each other as they swayed to the beat.
At first, others were stunned to see them so close, and apparently enjoying it, but more couples found their way to the floor, copying them.
After that song, Harry, Ron, and Ginevra found Hermione, pulling her away from Draco. "I'll be right back," she mouthed to him.
"What are you doing!" Ron exploded, practically shaking Hermione.
"What?" she asked innocently.
"You know what!" Harry said, "Why are you clinging to Malfoy like he's the greatest thing that ever happened?"
Hermione glared at him, "He's my date. Do you have a problem with that?"
"Yes!" Ron yelled incredulously.
"Ron… you're not her brother…" Ginevra broke in, "don't be so protective."
"I might as well be!" he protested.
Harry then asked quietly, since yelling obviously wasn't going anywhere, "Are you… seriously going out with him?"
"Yes, Harry. I am. First being with him was forced upon me, but now I'm glad." She smiled, trying to reassure him, "He really is a great guy. Haven't you noticed how he's been decent to you guys?"
"Yeah… well he better be more than decent to you, or he'll hear from me." Harry hugged her, "Be careful, Mione, I don't want you to get hurt. Like Ron said, you're pretty much our little sister. Not to mention Mrs. Weasley will kill us if we let anything to happen to you."
"Don't worry," she squeezed his hand, "Thanks for taking it so well. I was worried."
He chuckled, "Just try convincing Ron now…"
After several minutes' persuasion, Ron finally let Hermione out of sight, though never for long, always watching to make sure Draco was trustworthy.
The rest of the evening was spent laughing, dancing, and socializing, a lovely time in all. After it was all over, and decorations and messes had been cleared, Hermione and Draco were free to go back "home."
They held hands through the hallways, talking about everything that had happened. When they got to their portrait hole, they were surprised to see the painting had been changed.
"Romeo and Juliet…" Draco murmured, smiling at the memory of the story. He took Hermione's hands in his and gazed into her eyes, "Forbidden lovers. Just like us…" And with that, before she could protest, he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her passionately but sweetly on her lips.