Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

Invisible Voice: I'm pleased that you think my writing is up to par, thanks!

Karana Belle: They can! I'm glad you like the chapter!

frifri: Harry asked Hermione to the ball because she was the first person he could think of. Also he didn't know Lavender that well, and didn't know where she stood. Thanks for your review.

periwrinklemagic: The reason is because since is because wizards find it unconventional and think badly of people who change their appearance. I don't mean like Tonks either, Lavender changed her appearance, so she could be beautiful and it is permanent Besides, if she got it done by muggles it would be harder for other wizards to find out what she did.

XxGuMmYbEaRxX: I won't tell you, but it is relevant to the story. If you pay close attention, you would probably have figured it out.

potterqueen89: I'm happy you liked it!

ShadowOfMoonlight: Yay!! Here's the update!! Yes, lots of twists, I try to be as sneaky as I can.

k00lgirl1808: A sitcom, huh I never thought of it like that before. I'll try to put in jokes here and there, but can't guarantee anything. I'm more of a sarcastic person then a funny one.

x IceQueen: Now that I think about it, I think it does in a way. I'm not that surprised though, I was watching it, when I was outlining my first few chapters. Thanks for your review.

jelly beans beware: I'm glad!

mrkedfordelete: Yes, Harry is a bit dense, but in my opinion I don't think Harry's one to be the whiz of love. Thanks I appreciated your review, very much.

regina-terrae: Thanks! Here's the update!

NeLLy22: Yes Harry is a bit thick, especially in this chapter. I'm glad you like the small D/Hr moment.

Lady Zymurgy: Thanks, they're my favorites too

Citcat288: You're right. Harry is talking about Lavender. I guess you missed the part in the Harry's flashback, where she's talking to her mother and she calls her daughter, Lavender. I hope that cleared it up for you.

fpg: You would think it odd if Draco was going to ask Hermione to the ball? Hmm, well you don't actually know what Draco thinks of her at this point. Thanks for your review!

rain4life: Thanks for agreeing with me about the romance. I will try to update this as much as possible and thanks for reading my other fic Matchmaking too.

YamiClara: Maybe he was going to ask, we'll never know. Or will we? evil grin

overexposed: Dinner by candlelight, interesting. If I do use it I'll try to remember to give you credit. Thanks for reviewing!

aNONYMOUS: Thanks! I guess she was pretty already, but she thought she needed that extra something. So she'd turned to plastic surgery, and the rest is history... well, not really actually.

Kuroyuri411 ( AKA Black Silver): You're not a terrible person, far from it. Thanks for reviewing!

Chapter 5:

Hermione had been waiting all week for "The Day". Since it was a Saturday she was going to Ginny and Gwen's house first thing in the morning. She got out of bed and took a quick shower. Hermione hurriedly stuck a bagel in her mouth, and was about to apparate.

Draco stood in the kitchen doorway. "Where are you going this early in the morning?"

"I'm going to Ginny and Gwen's house to do...things," Replied Hermione, taking the bagel out before speaking. Before turning to apparate she added, "There are bagels on the kitchen counter, I'll see you later."

"Are you going to the Ministry Ball today?" Draco asked, coolly.

Hermione blushed. "Yeah. Why do you ask?"

"Just curious." He said. "Was anyone desperate enough to ask you to be his partner for tonight?"

She glared at him. "Harry wasn't desperate."

Draco's gaze didn't falter, but for a second his eyes flashed surprise. "Harry asked you." It sounded more like a statement then a question.

"Bye. I'm going to be late." She said before leaving. "See you at the party."

When Hermione arrived in Ginny and Gwen's living room, nobody was there. Hermione took a seat on the floral printed couch and announced, "I'm here."

"Mione there you are. We have to hurry and go to Diagon Alley," Said Ginny.

"What for?" Hermione said quizzically. "We bought everything that we needed for the ball. We didn't forget anything right?"

Gwen laughed. "No we didn't. You were too careful about it to let us forget anything."

Hermione managed to get out before Ginny interrupted. "Then why-"

"To make sure that we got the perfect robes for you," Ginny answered. Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but was stopped by Ginny. "We all know that you didn't really like the blue robes that we got two days ago."

Hermione smiled sheepishly. "You noticed."

"Of course we did," Said Gwen, grabbing her purse. "We couldn't call ourselves good friends if we didn't notice."

"So, everybody ready to shop for a robe?" Ginny asked.

Hermione laughed. "Ready as I'll ever be."

The three apparated to Diagon Alley and went straight into Madame Malkin's Robes for all occasions. They searched from every rack twice, but to no avail.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think you'll find many robes that suit your taste," The assistant answered. "Due to the Ministry ball, people bought many of our dress robes, we're going to get a new shipment next week."

Ginny sighed. "Should have guessed this would have happened."

"I think we should try our luck at the robe shop at Hogsmeade," Gwen said, hoping to revive their hope.

Hermione believed their search for the "perfect robe" will end up fruitless, but agreed with Gwen. Once they reached the shop, they split up and looked at different racks. Hermione was about to give up, when she saw someone at the counter returning a scarlet robe.

"I'm sorry, but I think I have to return this." The lady smiled. "I got this as a gift, but it was a tad too small."

"That's alright. Would you like me to pick out something that would suit you more?" The cashier said, as she was about to put the robe back in a rack.

Before the lady could answer, Hermione walked up to the cashier. "If you don't mind, could I try on the robe?"

The cashier gave Hermione the robe, beaming. "The robe looks like it was made for you, and I'm not saying this just so you'll buy it."

Hermione smiled at the cashier and went into a fitting room. She put on the scarlet robe, made of a flowing silky material. After putting on the robe, Hermione went to find Ginny and Gwen. They spotted her before, she did."

Ginny gasped in awe. "Hermione that's gorgeous, where did you find it?"

"Some woman was returning at the counter. Said that it was too small," Hermione said, happy that she finally found the perfect dress robe.

Gwen checked the time. "We have to get back to the house. You still have to get your makeover."

Hermione grimaced in response. "Ok, but try not to put on too much."

"You don't trust us? We're hurt, Mione," Ginny said in mock anger.

"No, it's not that-" Hermione paused.

Gwen laughed. "I heard what happened from Ginny at the seventh year ball. Don't worry I promise the same thing will not happen again."

Ginny yelled. "Hey, it wasn't my fault."

They laughed as they apparated back to Ginny and Gwen's house, after paying for the robe at the counter. Hermione's friends basically dragged her upstairs to get started on her hair and makeup. Within two hours, Ginny and Gwen grinned, finally were satisfied with their work.

"I think we're done, Mione. You look absolutely stunning. See for yourself," Ginny said handing her a mirror.

Hermione took the mirror doubtful, but looked at her reflection and smiled. "I look...amazing."

"Now Cinderella, don't lose your glass slipper," Gwen joked.

Hermione laughed. "I won't fairy godmothers."

She arrived at the apparating zone of the Ministry and quickly headed to the ballroom. As soon as she got there, Hermione pushed past dancing couples, searching for Harry. In ten minutes her forehead was forming beads of sweat, due to the heat of the room. She decided Harry wasn't here yet and took a drink from a waiter that was passing by.

Hermione took a sip of the drink and let out a satisfied sigh.

"Alone are we? I thought you had a date," Draco said behind her smirking.

"Go away Malfoy. I'm not in the mood right now to argue," Hermione said, sitting down on a chair.

Draco sat in a chair next to her. "Why do you assume that I came here to pick a fight?"

"I wonder why," Hermione said in a sarcastic tone. "Maybe it's because every time I see you, we fought. Also the fact that you despise me as much as I loathe you."

Draco shrugged. "We don't argue every time we meet."

Hermione gave him a skeptical look. "Really? Name one ti-" She fought down a blush. "Harry, you're here."

"I should leave you two alone," Draco said getting up.

"Ok, I'll talk to you later Draco." Harry turned back to Hermione and said nervously, "Of course I'm here."

Hermione asked concerned. "What's the matter? You can tell me."

"Well," Harry hesitated. "I don't think I can be your partner tonight."

Hermione let out a soft. "Oh."

"I'm really sorry," Harry said.

"That's ok, I'll be fine." Hermione gave him a fake smile. "So who's the lucky girl?"

Harry grinned, unaware of Hermione's obvious disappointment and answered. "You know her, it's Lavender."

"Do you mean Lavender Brown?" Hermione questioned.

"Yeah." He turned about. "Lav, come here. I want to introduce you to someone."

Lavender walked gracefully towards them, swaying her hips slightly as she walked. "Yes Harry, what is it?"

"You remember Hermione right?" Harry said.

"Of course I do love." Lavender said giving him a wink.

Hermione took a deep breath before speaking. "Lavender, I haven't seen you in a while." She let out a gasp as she saw her. "Y-you've changed quite a lot since Hogwarts."

"Yes..." Lavender said, not even pretending to be happy to see Hermione. "If you'll excuse us, me and Harry are going to go dance."

"Oh," Hermione said numbly. "Go right ahead. I'm going to...get some punch."

Hermione left a rush of thoughts running through her head. 'How could Harry do this to me? Of course we weren't dating or anything, but-' She poured herself a glass of punch. 'I'm being selfish; I can't expect Harry to not have a girlfriend. I should have told him how I felt.' Hermione thought miserably.

She sat down on a soft velvet chair, and gazed at the couples out on the dance floor. She sighed enviously, as she watched Harry and Lavender. 'She's where I've only dreamed of being.'

"He's here isn't he," Draco said, sitting down next to her.

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked, still staring at Harry and Lavender.

Draco answered. "The person you love."

Hermione spun to look at him, startled, but said, "Yes."

Minutes passed in silence as they watched the people dancing. Draco leaned back in his chair. "You should tell him."

Hermione remained still for a moment, then stood up, ignoring his last comment. "I'm going to retire for the night. I guess I'm a bit more worn-out then I thought."

She quickly went to the apparating zone and apparated immediately to her room. After getting ready to go to sleep, Hermione shut her eyes as she lay down on her bed. She tried to fall asleep, but images of the ball kept coming back.

She let out a frustrated groan and climbed out of bed to her desk. You should tell him. 'Stupid Malfoy.' She sighed. 'Maybe it is about time to tell Harry.' She dipped her quill in the black ink and started to write on a piece of parchment.

Dear Harry,

You probably never guessed, but I've loved you for the longest time. I know that you have Lavender, but I don't know if I could live without you. I know I want you to be happy, but my heart hurts every time I see you with another girl.

Love,

Hermione

Hermione crumpled up the letter. 'No that's not right, I sound way too jealous of Lavender and obsessive of him.' She started a few more letters, but ended up throwing all of them away.

She sighed and put her quill down. Hermione knew she wasn't ever going to send the letter or write a decent love note. Which wasn't surprising, since she never wrote one before, not even when she was dating Krum back in third year. She lay her head down on her desk and finally let a lone tear fall down her face.

The door to Hermione's door opened, and Draco looked into her room. He saw at her desk, Hermione's sleeping form. He was about to leave when he saw a piece of crumpled parchment on her desk. Draco went over to the desk and read what was written.

He took another glance at the sleeping brunette and sighed. He hoisted her up and put her on her bed. He was too busy tucking her in that he didn't notice that Hermione woke up.

Hermione's first thought was to scream, when she woke to a shadowy figure looming over her, but when the moonlight hit the person's head, she saw caught a glimpse of platinum blond hair. She closed her eyes and froze. 'What is Malfoy of all people doing in my room?!' Hermione knew that she should tell him to get out, but being the curious person she was, she continued to pretend she was fast asleep.

Once Draco was finished, he opened the door and took a step out of the room, but, stopped. He turned back to where Hermione was "sleeping". For a while, he watched her quietly and unmoving. He slowly leaned down...and gave her a soft kiss, then promptly left the room.

As soon as Hermione heard the door close, she sat up on her bed. 'What just happened?' Hermione thought trying in vain to calm herself down, while her heart continuing to beat rapidly. She reached out and got her alarm clock, it read 2:32 a.m.

Hermione grasped her wand and apparated to Gwen and Ginny's house. "Gwen, Ginny, are you guys sleeping?"

Gwen yawned as she walked out of her bedroom. "Naturally. Most people are sleeping at this time of day."

"What was so urgent that you couldn't wait until later?" Ginny asked.

Hermione blushed. "It's nothing really."

Gwen grinned. "I may still be half asleep, but I'm awake enough to know that you won't come here, especially at this time of day for nothing."

"You know she's right, Mione. Now what is it?" Ginny said.

"The thing is..." Hermione trailed off.

"Yes? Don't leave us hanging." Ginny said.

Hermione tried to start again. "Something big happened."

Gwen laughed. "Yeah, we kind of established that already. Now, what is it?"

Hermione opened her mouth to tell them what had occurred.

A/N: I am really really really sorry for the delay. I was on vacation for a week and then after posting Matchmaking on Saturday, I was going to post this on Monday. However when I tried to log on it wouldn't let me, the notice on the severe hardware failure. So, I decided to wait before I posted this chapter. I'll try to get the next chapter out early on next week. Now that that's over with, back to my story. Did you like the kiss scene? To be totally honest I've never had my first kiss, so I'm not sure how it turned out. Did you think that Draco was being too nice? Is the story moving too fast? Too slow? As always, don't forget to read and review! Until next time.

2A/N: In case you wanted to know, if I for whatever reason delay in an update, check my profile. I constantly update it telling around when I will update or if I already have. Oh, and I almost forgot, I would love to talk to my readers. So, if you want you can send me an e-mail at or talk on aim. My screen name is pinkangelwing52. Once again don't forget to leave a review.