Chapter 17

Draco just stood there. He was wondering if his brain was still working or if it was on the verge of meltdown. Had she just called him, Draco Malfoy, an angel? The process was slow and the delivery stalled but it soon came to pass.

"An angel? Only my mother calls me that! I am NOT an angel! I am also NOT a guard! That is servants work. Very much beneath me." He was fuming now and crossed his arms proudly in front of his chest. He nodded his head with a slighthmph and stormed out.

Hermione just sat, dumbfounded, as she replayed his outburst in her head. She sighed," One step forward, two GIANT leaps back." She knew that he was starting to ease up a bit but guessed she his a nerve when he was reminded of his mother.

"Oh well time to dig in." She began to shovel food into her mouth, very Ron Weasley like.

Hours later...

After finishing her lunch, Hermione had read a few books from the vast selection in the common room. The best part was when she finished the book and closed it, it vanished. She supposed it was going back to the library or something. Then she would hear a pop and a new book would already be in the old ones place. Heaven to Hermione Granger.

She had reluctantly left her spot on the sofa chair and went up to her room to ready for the banquet.

She was finishing the final touches on her hair when someone knocked on the portrait. "Hermione! Come on! It's bad enough you didn't let me help you get dressed up, but to make us wait with anticipation also? That's just a bit rude, don't you think?" It was Ginny's whining. Hermione grinned, she had changed the password on the portrait that evening so she would be able to take her time and not be fussed over as usual.

She took one last look in the mirror. Her bushy hair was now in a simple up-do. She adorned it with two butterfly combs, one on each side above her ear. She never wore much makeup so she dabbed her lips with a bit of shiny lip gloss. She licked her lipsmmm, it tasted like raspberries. Weeks before school had begun, her mother had been with her shopping to pick out a dress(just for cases like this).

The black gown was to die for. It was a floor length dress that clung to her womanly curves. The bodice puffed out in a 'Juliet' sort of style making it seem like she had more cleavage then usual. It was a sleeveless piece except for the tiny thin straps that held it up and threatened to break at any moment. The sandals she wore were the same color as her dress, high-heeled, and surprisingly comfortable.

She nodded to herself, simple yet elegant. "GRANGER! Hurry up already!" A voice called up from the commons. "Why don't you just leave MALFOY!" Ron was screaming at him. Hermione sighed," I better get down there before they kill each other. My duty is never done."

She left the sight of the mirror and opened the portrait to stand atop the stairs.'This is it, just take a deep breath and try not to faint.' She thought to herself. Hearing the portrait open the two boys stopped bickering and stared up in awe.

Ginny snorted breaking the silence," And all this time you had me fooled. You really can be a girl when you want to." She smiled, " You look dazzling darling." Her statement was followed by nods from the boys, who were currently trying to roll their tongues back inside their gaping jaws, and "beautiful" from their dates.

Ron had finally asked Lavendar to go, he was such a chicken shite sometimes. Ginny, of course, had her arm tucked inside Jared's. Ron was throwing glares in his direction which Jared continued to ignore. Harry was sitting on the couch with Katie in his lap. They were currently snogging and not paying much attention to their surroundings. Hermione walked down the stairs, Draco was standing there waiting for her with his hand raised.

She didn't know what to make of things. First he's cold, then he's hot, and very hot that is. Obviously he had already forgot about his prior actions earlier. She took his hand nonetheless and walked with him over to her friends. "What are you doing Hermione? Your touching him and by your own will! Your going to get Ferret cooties or something." Ron said snidely and before he could walk over to physically unbind their hands, Lavendar stepped in front of him and gathered his arms about her waist.

"I am escorting Hermione to the banquet, as Head Boy it is MY duty!" Draco said through gritted teeth. 'Oh how I would love to kick your arse right now', was the look plastered over both the boys faces. Hermione decided she had had a enough. " I believe that if you two do not settle down and act civil right now, Lavendar will be MY date tonight and both of YOU will be going stag!"

Lavendar smirked," Exactly what I was thinking. Oh well, I guess I will have to find someone else for a good snog tonight..." Ron's face turned red, from the embarrassment of having to go stag or missing a good shag, or both, no one could tell. Draco smirked," Well Weasel I guess I will leave you alone, can't be having your dame off snogging some other bloke, could I?" His eyes twinkled waiting to see if Ron would take the bait and open his big stupid mouth again.

"Uh...No I wouldn't want that." With that said he snaked his arm around Lavendar and pulled her back into his embrace defensively. They couldn't hear his mumblings in her ear but from the look on her face it was more than just an apology spoken. Lavendar's grin just got bigger and bigger with each word.

"Now that this foolishness is over let's be off or we'll be late." Harry said as Katie got off of him and he patted out his pants. " Oh how nice of you to join us Harry...Katie..." Ginny smirked and then looked at Katie shaking her pointer finger back and forth in a motherly manner."Tsk, tsk, such a bad girl you are." Katie blushed but smile impishly."I've seen you do worst Ginny dear." Ginny was awestruck, she took a quick glance at Ron with hopes he had not heard her. EANT wrong answer!

Ron was now standing there with fist clenched. You could practically see the steam coming out of his ears. His face was red like as a muggle fire engine. He was about to open his mouth when Malfoy spoke up.

Draco rolled his eyes and sneered at the group," Let's go already! Bloody wankers, the whole lot, can't keep their hands to themselves!"He mumbled and grabbed Hermione's hand again pulling her so they could exit past everyone. Ginny and Jared were in hot pursuit. They both wanted to run from the wrath Ron could dish out. Harry and Katie were following their lead and bustled out the portrait. Ron was still trying to figure out what happened as Lavendar grabbed his arm and dragged him toward the Great Hall. "Just shut your trap and behave. I want to have some fun tonight, RONALD."

At hearing her say 'Ronald' and not just 'Ron', he knew his troubles would be bigger if he did any more griping. He wasn't about to give up the good shag he had promised her.He had heard that Lavendar had great moves, not at all innocent like she pretended to portray. So he simply obeyed her orders and let her lead the way with a smirk upon his freckled face,"Yes ma'am."