Christmas Ball

Hermione took a small peek into the Great Hall. She didn't want go in but she had, too. Too her displeasure she had to dance with Draco when they opened the dance. It was going to hurt to look into his eyes after what happened that night in mid-September. Over the past few months not much had happened. Her and Draco had barely spoken to one another. They only spoke when they absolutely had too and it was always forced. Hermione had grown to hate Draco a little for dumping her. But maybe she had just been a bad girlfriend and he had started hating her. Hermione just wished he had left her with a better explanation. Blaise and Amy were still there for her but they had been more distant than ever, or at least Blaise had. Hermione and Amy still sat together in class and still ate together. They did a lot together including shopping for the dress Hermione now had on. It had looked perfect in the store.

But now as she stood outside the Great Hall mentally preparing herself to go in and dance with Draco, it looked terrible. It was the same thing that had happened at the Halloween Dance. Hermione had, had to dance with Draco to open the dance and she had despised every second of it. Neither of the two had looked into each other's eyes. Hermione also didn't want to be put on the spot at the moment. Now at six months pregnant she wouldn't be able to move as gracefully on the dance floor. Finally taking a deep breath she entered the Hall.

"Ms.Granger over here." Professor McGonagall was off to the side of the door with Draco.

As usual Draco looked amazing in a black tuxedo with a green tie. His blonde hair was overlying his eyes and his stare was not to anyone or anywhere in particular. Hermione gulped and tried to ignore him.

"Now I want both of you to behave yourselves while you dance tonight." Hermione saw behind McGonagall's shoulder that Professor Dumbledore was standing up form his seat. Professor McGonagall saw this and hastily made her way off to take her seat.

Dumbledore made a speech but Hermione barely heard it as she was still preparing herself for the dance. She was then knocked out of her dream world by Draco taking her hand and Leading her onto the floor to dance. The music was slow and seemed as if it were trying to kill her. She could fell Draco's eyes staring down at her large abdomen. It made her feel self-conscious. Hermione looked up at his face and saw his eyes pointing down. Her self control to not lean in and kiss him and then slap him was using all she had. After what seemed like an eternity the song was over and Hermione moved away from Draco to sit alone for a moment before taking her leave.

Hermione strode over to the refreshment table and poured herself some pumpkin juice. She took a sip and sat down at a near by table to watch the couples dancing. A wave of sorrow and disappointment in herself swept over Hermione. She had, had many offers for the Ball but had refused them all, in hope that Draco would come back to her. He never did. Hermione felt a bit depressed as she sat there but her spirits were lifted a bit when a Terry Boot, a seventh year Ravenclaw who had previously asked her to the Ball, came and asked her to dance. Hermione thought about it and decided she couldn't break his heart anymore so she accepted.

Terry led her out onto the dance floor and took her hand in his and put his free hand on her waist. Hermione put her free hand on his shoulder. After one dance Hermione was smiling and laughing as Terry cracked some jokes for her. Draco on the other hand was leaning against the wall watching their every move. He, too, was a bit depressed that he never got to spend time with Hermione and that it wasn't him out there making her smile and laugh. But it was for her own good. Still Draco felt horrible that he was reduced to merely watching her. A slow song came on and Draco tensed up when he saw Terry ask Hermione to dance again. To his horror Hermione accepted and they came closer then before to dance. Terry wrapped his arms around her once small waist which was now quite large due to the babies.

Hermione was a bit conscious when she was dancing so close to Terry and she could feel Draco's eyes on the back of her head. Ever since Terry had asked her to dance she had felt his eyes following her. Hermione did feel a bit odd though. She just felt like there wasn't enough space between her and Terry. She looked up and Terry and their eyes met. Hermione noticed that his lips were only about two inches away from her nose. Hermione leaned her head back to look up at him better and to her utter surprise his lips moved down towards hers.

Hermione took a step back to get away and when she did a sharp pain cursed through her abdomen. Doubled over in pain Hermione groaned loudly. Terry kneeled down and took her arm.

"Hermione are you okay." he asked, panicking. Hermione only responded by groaning again.

By now Blaise, Amy, an Draco were on the scene.

Draco had dropped to his knees and taken Hermione out of Terry's grip. "Hermione." he breathed, touching her stomach.

Hermione seethed and recoiled and Draco knew exactly what was wrong. At the first appointment Hermione had, had, the doctor explained what would happen when Hermione went into labor. Picking Hermione off the ground he put an arm around her shoulder and Blaise took the other side. Now half of the Hall was paying attention. They parted as Hermione came through. Sweat beads had formed on he forehead. Madame Promfrey met them at the door with Dumbledore, McGonagall, and, Snape. Conjuring up a stretcher, Dumbledore helped Draco and Blaise put Hermione up on the stretcher.

"Mr.Malfoy, Mr.Zabini and Ms.Laidlaw are the only ones allowed to come, everybody else get back into the hall." Professor McGonagall commanded.

"Severus, would you be so kind as to stay and watch over the hall with the other teachers." Professor Dumbledore asked as he was opening the doors. Snape nodded and closed the door behind them.

Madame Promfrey, Professor McGonagall and Hermione were already up the steps and moving at a fast pace. Blaise, Amy, Draco, and Dumbledore were just behind them. In the Hospital Wing Hermione was set down on a bed and Dumbledore and McGonagall were running around getting things for Hermione. Madame Promfrey was at the fire and about to floo away.

"Your just going to floo away." Draco roared at her from across the room, where he was forced to stay.

"Hush up boy, I am off to St.Mungo's." she snarled before leaving.

Hermione was now having some trouble breathing and sweat was pouring down her face. All Draco wanted to do was take Hermione in his arms and hold her, but he wasn't allowed.

"It'll be okay, mate." Blaise said putting a hand on his shoulder. Draco just nodded, slowly.

Madame Promfrey then appeared at the fire with two Healers, both were women. The women had potion laden arms and were hurrying over to Hermione. Professor Dumbledore then came over to them.

"Do not fret Mr.Malfoy, all will be well." he said kindly to Draco, who had a pained look on his face. "now all three of you should go into the hallway."

"No way I want to stay with Hermione." Draco protested.

Dumbledore stared down at him for a moment and then nodded his head. "Stay out of their way but I must insist you two leave though." Dumbledore said sadly to Amy wand Blaise who just nodded and left. "You may go stand with her but don't get in the Healers way."

Draco nodded and darted over to Hermione's side like lightning and took her hand gently. Hermione opened her eyes and smiled up at Draco. Draco smiled back and kissed her forehead softly.

"I love you." he whispered into her ear.

Hermione looked up at him in a mix of confusion, joy, and love. Before she could tell him she loved him as well pain ripped through her body again.

"Here dear, drink this." one of the healers handed her a potion after the pain subsided. "It will numb your body."

Hermione drank the whole thing in one gulp and blanched. Draco gave her hand an affectionate squeeze for comfort and consolation. Hermione's face scrunched up a bit but then it relaxed. She took a deep breath and smiled.

"I love you, too." she looked up at Draco.

Draco smiled and kissed her lips. Hermione kissed back but only for a second because Draco pulled back.

"You'll be okay, 'Mione, I promise." he comforted.

"How can you be so sure." Hermione whimpered.

Draco gave her a knowing smile. "Because I'll never let anything happen to you."

Hermione smiled weakly and fell back on the pillows. Draco pulled a chair over to him and sat down next to Hermione and took her hand again. They sat in silence for while until Hermione spoke up.

"Draco..."

"Yeah." he responded.

"Why,"she asked. "Why did you leave me."tears were back in her eyes as she remembered the lonely nights she had suffered because he wasn't there.

"It doesn't matter anymore.. "he said sadly, pushing a strand of hair out of her

Hermione frowned. That hadn't been the answer was had been looking for. She was about to say something back but just then a Healer approached them with a half smile.

"Well Ms.Granger I have good and bad news for you." she said kindly handing Hermione a vial. "But first drink this."After Hermione had drank it she continued. "Well, I'll give you the giid news first."she kept going without an answer. "The good news is that you aren't going into labor and that it was a false alarm. It was more than likely triggered by dancing, since it is obvious you were at the Ball."

Hermione sighed a look of relief on her face. Draco was grinning and he pulled Hermione into a hug, happy that she wasn't going into labor just yet. Then Hermione's face fell.

"Um...but what's the bad news." she asked a bit afraid of the answer she would be given.

"Well you see when any woman of any goes into a mock labor there are always bad consequences." her tone and face were both grave as she spoke. " We are not sure if anything bad as happened but there is a possibility that..."