XxXbloody nekoXxX- I was just curious about the Blaise thing. I don't think he'll be in the story. But maybe he'll be useful. Hedwigmail- I'll try and make it more detailed.

Neutralgal-Oh erm...the Abigail I know is in Secondary. Abigail Wong.

Yokai Cesia and Chi- Sorry... I hope this chapter will be more on topic.

"Here are your books Malfoy." Hermione handed Draco the rest of his books.

"Er...Thanks, I guess." Draco got out and smiled slightly at her. He then went to check out the books.

Hermione went back to reading her book.

Draco walked quickly back to the Dungeons, and the safeness of his room to think. He sighed. Draco couldn't understand this new feeling. Every time Hermione was near him or even just thinking of her made him have heart palpitations and feel flushed. Another thing was that his brain would freeze and couldn't think of anything smart to say. Was this the feeling of falling for someone? Named Hermione Granger?

Worst of all, his father had warned him about falling in love. His father had said it was a weak thing mudbloods and muggles did. Why must things be so complicated? He grabbed a book from the stack from the Library and started reading. Tried to anyways. After ten minutes, he was still on the same page. His mind kept wondering to Hermione. What was she doing now?

Hermione spent her afternoon in the Library. She read nearly all the selected books, though none really proved useful, since she knew most of the facts in them. She checked with Madam Pince to see if that book Ginny had found was back. It wasn't. Hermione checked out the one she hadn't completed and left in her room. She went down to the Common Room. Harry and Ron were at it again, playing Wizards Chess. Harry seemed to be winning, but it was Ginny giving tips to him. Ginny equaled her brother at the game. Harry won.

That night, Hermione, Ron and Ginny went for a prefects meeting. Dumbledore had a surprise for them.

"Prefects, Heads." He acknowledged with a nod when they all were seated. "I, we, the teachers and I have decided to have a Halloween ball. Unlike the Yule ball, you all will be in charge of the decorations, music, everything." Dumbledore paused. His bright eyes were twinkling.

There was a rush of chatter.

"Ahem." And silence.

"I would like all the preparations to do done by October 27th. That is a week from now." Dumbledore stated, then he left. Talk filled the small room again. Several plans were made that night. There were some grumbles but mostly the planning went smoothly.

Draco and Hermione were left to pack up the room after all the other prefects had left. Papers were everywhere. None of them spoke during that period, but quietly picked papers and piled them on the table in neat piles. When they were done, Draco walked awkwardly up to Hermione.

"W-would y-you, Would you be...We'd better go now." Draco said. Stupid, stupid, stupid. He plastered a smile on his face.

"Yeah. See you tomorrow."

Draco hit himself after Hermione had left. Tomorrow I will ask her to the Ball.

Hermione's nightmare was worse then usual. She had given up on trying to stay awake. The lady had actually screamed her head off, but the screaming continued.

The next day was Saturday, Hermione received an owl from her mother.

Dear Hermione

Dad has gone delirious. During... day, he talks to invisible people. And at night, he talks... imaginary ghosts and creatures haunting him. What is happening? The doctors give him a month or two the most. They are just guessing, but I still feel...

Mum

Some words were too smudged to read. Hermione felt compelled to jump onto the next Hogwarts Express and run all the way home from the station. Instead, she stayed put and ate her breakfast silently.

As she walked toward the Gryffindor Common Room, Draco suddenly appeared. He looked nervous and jittery.

"Hermione, I was wondering... would you be my date for the Ball?" Draco asked. He turned slightly red.

Hermione's first instinct was to say no, but she closed it and thought. He might be falling for me, and if I don't accept, he might get angry and...

"Sure." Hermione aid, a little too eagerly

Draco smiled widely.

The night came all to soon. Ginny and Harry were going together. Ron was going alone. Hermione was going with Draco. At first, Harry and Ron were a little disgruntled with the fact, but Ginny soon set them right.

Ginny was in Hermione's room preparing her for the ball...and Draco. Hermione was actually nervous.

"Stop fretting Hermione." Ginny said. Both were dressed and almost ready to go.

Hermione wore light green dress robes and had piled her hair on top on her head, Ginny had applied some makeup and Hermione looked as stunning as in the fourth year Yule Ball. Maybe even more. Ginny had on dark blue dress robes (new, thanks to Fred and George). They walked to the entrance of the Great Hall where Harry and Ron were waiting. Draco was nowhere to be found.

"We'll go in first." Said Harry, pulling Ginny and Ron in.

Now, Hermione stood alone, outside the Great Hall. But just as they left, Draco came into sight. He was dressed in black.

"You look beautiful Hermione." He murmured into Hermione's ear. Hermione blushed. Draco gave her a single rose. Draco took her hand and led her in gently.

"You want to dance?" Draco asked

"Er....sure." Hermione said.

After an hour of dancing, Hermione went to the refreshment table for a drink. She had to admit Draco was indeed a talented dancer. He had dipped her, twirled her and a number of many others.

Draco beckoned Hermione outside. She followed curiously.

He led her behind a group of trees.

"Why ar-" She was silenced by Draco with a kiss.

A/n That proves that he really likes her. Phase one, cause Malfoy to fall for her, is complete. Thank you wonderful reviewers!!!!!