Hey guys…this is a sort of experimental story I'm trying out! It's something of a cross between Action and Mystery. If you guys like it, maybe I can put up a sequel which would be a Draco Hermione Romance.

CHAPTER 1

The colors that flashed across the Great Hall were as vibrant as its mood. Students were flitting to and fro, sipping wine from their goblets or chatting animatedly with each other. A few were dancing to the ancient waltz and tango music that was being played on the dance floor. The air was hot and thick, and filled with the smells of wine, musk and exotic perfumes.

The students were crowding around the food tables, and Harry and Ron quickly adjoined themselves to the thick queue. Both were, as was the custom, dressed for the masquerade. Harry was wearing flowing black robes, with golden wrist bands, and an Inca necklace snapped around his neck. His messy hair was just the same, but he wasn't wearing any glasses, and his green eyes danced in the candlelight that came from the thousands of floating candles. Next to him, Ron was salivating at the look of the exotic dishes arrayed in front of them. He was dressed in a pair of loose black trousers, and a tight black shirt, that was heavily embroidered. As Harry had jokingly pointed out when he saw him in the common room, he looked like a bull fighter, in his prized clothes.

However, there was no sign of Hermione. It was early on, and there were still seven hours or so of the masquerade ball left to go, and neither felt much concern. They did, however, feel a growing anticipation. Hermione had a tendency to surprise everyone at these balls.

'I like this,' Ron said, appreciatively, helping himself to nachos.

Harry snorted at the dreamy look on his best friend's face. 'You would,' he chortled.

Ron grinned. 'Not just the food, man. I mean the ball. This is so much better than the Yule Ball.'

'Tell me about it,' Harry agreed. 'No tension of asking girls out. You can dance with anyone you like.'

'And,' Ron said, pointedly, 'No dress robes. This whole exotic theme thing is just cool. I got to borrow some of Bill's clothes.' he glanced down at his attire with a flash of pride.

'I wonder where Hermione is though,' Harry murmured, scanning the crowds once again.

Ron rolled his eyes. 'You know what she's like. She likes surprising everyone once in a while and come sashaying in looking amazing.'

Harry chuckled. 'You have a point.'

Hermione, as it was, was indeed considering her outfit as they were talking. She was surveying it with a critical eye, wondering what more she needed for that finishing touch. The off the shoulder red crepe dress she was wearing looked good with her tanned face, neck and shoulders. It was long-sleeved, and tight above the waist, flaring out once it passed her hips. She had fastened a chunky silver metallic belt over the low waist, and had a thin necklace made of black shiny stones at her throat. Her hair she had cast an elaborate spell on, making it a little longer, curlier, bouncier and much shinier. She had gathered it at the back of her head and clipped it there. Quickly smearing some vivid red lipstick on her lips, and gliding a touch of lip-gloss over that she glanced at her reflection.

'Perfect,' she muttered. 'Harry and Ron, wait till you see me. I am going to knock your socks off.'

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

'She's majorly late,' Ron observed.

Harry frowned. 'Yeah, I know. Strange, isn't it? She normally doesn't-.' at this point, he broke off, and gaped silently at something behind Ron's shoulder. He turned, and his jaw fell open, too. Hermione was gliding upto them, in a stunning red dress with a flash of silver at her waist. Her hair had been charmed somehow, so it was much shinier, and bounced in a lush feathering of curls every time she stepped. Her lips were a bright shade of red, and sparkled in the dim light.

'Hey guys.' she said, as she reached up at them. Harry regained use of his mouth first.

'H-Hermione? Wow!' was all he managed, however. Ron was slightly less subtle.

'What the fucking hell?" he said, his mouth still open with shock.

She laughed, and the gloss on her lips glinted. 'Just thought I'd give you guys a surprise. I'm tired of being the good girl so often.'

'You look amazing,' Harry said slowly, still just recovering.

'Thanks,' Hermione said, amused. 'It took me sometime to figure out if red was my color.'

'Boy is it ever,' Ron mumbled, still staring. She lifted her hand, and shifted his face so his gaze was off her.

'Don't stare, Ron,' she scolded. 'It's rude.'

'Right,' Ron said, nodding dumbly.

Hermione giggled. 'I'll just be going and getting a drink for myself,' she said.

'Sure.' Harry murmured. 'We'll be right here.'

Hermione slowly drifted away. She felt many heads turn her way, many mouths open with wonder. There were many whispers of, 'Is that Hermione?' and 'Wow, I didn't think she had it in her. It wasn't long before she was assaulted by Lavender.

'Hermione-!' she gasped, stressing the last syllable. 'You look amazing!'

Hermione smiled, a little shyly. 'Thanks Lavender.'

'Where did you get that dress from? It looks lovely.'

'Hogsmeade.'

'It's amazing! Why don't you come and have a drink with Parvati and me.'

'Oh, no thanks. I have to get back to Harry and Ron.'

'Shouldn't you put Ron first?' Lavender asked, with a suggestive wink.

Hermione rolled her eyes. She knew that Lavender, Parvati, and about the rest of the school believed in a blossoming romance between herself and Ron. She also knew it was impossible. Ron and she were like brother and sister. They were very fond of each other, and shared most of their secrets with the other, but a romance with him was out of the question.

She made her way to the drinks table, and got herself a cocktail. As she was heading back to Harry and Ron, her gaze suddenly fell on a group of students to the far corner, who didn't seem to be doing much interacting. They were all crowding around something in middle. At first she was confused, but then she caught sight if Pansy, dressed in a green dress, her shiny black hair all over her back. She rolled her eyes. Of course. The Slytherins. God forbid they actually talked to anyone else at the ball.

She felt a prick of curiosity, wondering exactly what they were crowding around. Drink in hand, she tip-toed closer and craned her neck.

What she saw sent an initial wave of confusion through her. It was a person, dressed in black dress robes. He wore a sort of half mask on his face, which was elegantly curved, and his only his eye region. Through slanted slits, she could see piercing gray eyes staring pack out of the crowd. He wore loose trousers, and a tight black shirt, but unlike Ron's, it didn't have any embroidery on it. As an extra touch, he seemed to have attached long silver spikes to his fingers. She snorted to herself. Of course. Nine Inch Nails

At that minute, she caught sight of the silky pale blonde hair, and suddenly her confusion dissolved. Malfoy. Had to be. Who else would wear spiked nails?

She shook her head softly to herself, and made her way back to Harry and Ron. Ron was talking with Lavender, but Harry smiled at her when she came.

'Hey,' he said, softly. 'You took your time.'

She made a face. 'I met the Slytherins on the way.'

His smile vanished. 'They didn't give you any trouble?'

She shook her head. 'Nope. I don't think they even noticed. They were all fanning over Draco Malfoy there. He's all into Mask of Zoro mood.'

Ron chose that mood to join in the conversation. 'Zoro?' he asked, confused, as Harry snorted.

'Malfoy,' she explained. 'He's dressed as Zoro.'

Ron still looked perplexed. 'What the hell's a Zoro?' he asked, frowning.

Harry chuckled. 'Never mind, Ron. Muggle thing. Who else but Malfoy would dress as Zoro.'

'He's even added his own touches,' Hermione said, remembering. 'Silver spikes on his fingers.'

Harry snorted again, while Ron just looked confused. 'I don't get it,' he said frowning.

Hermione rolled her eyes. 'Never mind, Ron. I saw you and Lavender talking. What was all that about?'

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The night wore on. More and more students began to flit to the dance floors with their partners. Seeing this, Harry turned to Hermione.

'Hey Herms. You want to dance?'

Hermione accepted, and they left Ron talking to Parvati. Harry took her arm, pulled her to the dance floor. He grasped her waist, and began twisting her around to the elaborate tango music that was playing. Hermione twirled, her skirt floating behind her.

'Isn't that Malfoy over there?' Harry asked, looking pointedly over her shoulder. Hermione craned her neck, but couldn't see. Harry obligingly twisted her around so she could.

'Yes it is,' she said, as his costume came into view. 'Complete with the nine inch nails.'

Harry chortled softly. 'Who would have thought Malfoy manicured?'

Hermione laughed. 'Sure,' she said, batting her eyelids.

As they twirled around once more, they came into Malfoy's field of vision. He was dancing with Pansy, who was looking stunning in a silky green dress, and her cascade of glossy black curls. He got a full blast of Harry, but only caught Hermione's back and hair, which he didn't recognize. He met Harry's gaze and sneered.

'Got yourself another fuck-partner, Potty?' he asked, snidely. 'Where'd you pick this one up from? The slums?'

The minute the words were out of his mouth an incensed Harry opened his mouth to fling a retort back, but before he could, the girl he was dancing with turned around.

Malfoy's mouth was flung open. It was the mudblood. And she was looking bloody amazing, at that.'

She flipped him a cool look. 'I don't think so, Malfoy,' she replied, flippantly. 'But I was wondering, where did you pick up that thing you're dancing with? Didn't I see her in Hagrid's pig sty yesterday?'

Harry choked with laughter, but Pansy's face flushed with anger. Draco replied with nothing but a stony look, so she was forced to defend herself.

'You watch it, Granger,' she snapped. 'I won't have any cheek from you.'

Hermione's eyes went wide.

'It talks,' she drawled. Harry doubled up with laughter behind her.

'Granger!' Pansy's voice was incensed, now.

'Gosh, I wonder what spell Hagrid put on it.'

A full blown catfight was about to start, when Professor McGonagall suddenly intervened.

'Is there any problem here?' she asked, coldly. Pansy, who had been about to say something extremely rude to Hermione clamped her mouth shut.

'No Professor,' Hermione said, sweetly.

'So then why is Mr. Potter in spasms?'

Hermione glanced behind her. Harry was still doubled over with laughter.

'I- I'm fine,' he sputtered.

Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows. 'I see. Well, if there's nothing to deal with, I might as well return to that excellent white wine Hagrid brought.'

Harry and Hermione left the dance floor, Harry still chuckling over the Pansy incident, to find Ron immersed in conversation with a tall boy with tanned skin and honey-colored hair. Hermione immediately recognized him as Antony Goldstein, a Ravenclaw prefect.

'Hey guys,' Ron greeted them, as they approached. 'And thanks, Tony. I'll see ya round, okay?'

Antony nodded. 'See you Ron.'

Ron turned to them. 'What's the matter with him?' he asked, pointing at Harry who was still laughing.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hermione leaned back on her chair, cradling her whiskey in her hand. Ron was sitting beside her, puffing at a rotund cigar. Harry was sitting on her other side.

'And- And then-.' he gasped, choking with laughter. 'Hermione gets this completely surprised look on her face, and went- "It talks." I thought I would die with laughter.'

'So did I,' Hermione muttered. 'Oh, come on Harry. You've already told us this story half a million times.'

'I'm not going to get tired of it,' Ron said, hooting with laughter, and puffing out scented smoke.

Hermione groaned. She was getting slightly sick, and her head was throbbing. Maybe she had had enough of this ball.

'I think I better go back,' she told her friends.

'Sure Mione. And you looked amazing. Yeah, so then she said-.'

Hermione rolled her eyes and walked off. The ball was over. As she walked out, her eyes strayed to the corner of the room. She caught sight of the man with silver spikes on his fingers, smiled and left.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

First chapter! What did you guys think? This is something of an introductory chapter. The REAL story starts next chapter onwards.

Cheers to those of you who review!