DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but my plot

(AN: I'm sorry I haven't been updating as often, it's the last weeks of semester, and I've been incredibly busy with projects and studying and shit)

As the Halloween Ball approached, students began pairing off and the excitement grew to a nearly intolerable level. When Hermione would walk down the hallway, students would attack her with their questions dealing with the dress code (which was very liberal – the only real rule was that no breasts or lower regions could be exposed), the decorations, and anything else that came to them.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione finally re-established their bond, but as Hermione had suspected, there was still an element of tension between the three. This had been especially apparent when Ron announced that he and Lavender were going to the ball together, and the awkward silence had only been broken when Hermione told them her date – Draco. They had gaped at her until she explained that Dumbledore was insisting that they go together to promote house unity, and then they sympathetically patted her back while she tried to control her guilt about lying to them.

Harry and Ginny were going to the Ball together, a decision long foreseen by Hermione. They had been giving each other looks of blatant longing for weeks now, and Hermione was surprised only because it had taken them so long to actually get on with it.

As far as the decorations for the dance went, Hermione and Draco had conjured up ghostly versions of several famous couples who were to float eerily above the dancers. They hired an orchestra and a woman singer to perform soft, melancholy music, and the lights were to be almost off, with candlelight as the only source of illumination. Hermione secretly hoped that it would be dim enough so that her inability to look away from the silver-haired boy wouldn't be apparent enough to catch anybody's eye.

On the night of the ball, Hermione looked in the full-length mirror in her room. Her dress was tight and black around the waist, and the corset pushed her breasts perfectly into the white and red lace top. Her skirt was long and shimmered gold, and a black lace shawl was around her waist. Her hair was tied back with a rose, and tendrils framed her face. She had mascara on, but her lips were the part of her that was most noticeable, as they were seductively painted red. A red cloak was thrown over her shoulders, and she carried herself with pride as she stepped into the common room. She froze, and stared at the phantom waiting for her.

The black suit he wore made his pale skin seem even whiter, and he shone with an icy power. Half of his face was covered with the Phantom's white mask, and the other half was picturesque. His eyes bore into Hermione as she took him in, and when he walked toward her, his black cape made him look menacing and irresistible.

Draco took her hand, and Hermione felt the control his appearance had over her make her follow him. She tried to regain her mind, irate at the loss of herself. However, as he glanced back at her, she relaxed and reveled in the fact that he was hers.

When they arrived at the ball, Hermione felt a hand on her shoulder, keeping her from entering. She glanced back and Draco looked back with her, his grip tightening on her hand.

"You may want to release her, Draco, if you want to keep anything a secret." Dumbledore's voice was filled with amusement as he led them into the nearest room. Hermione blushed and pulled her hand away, but the twinkle stayed firmly in place in the Headmaster's eye.

"So I hear you two have been using me as an excuse to attend the ball together?"

Draco stepped forward, his confidence again overshadowing Hermione's. "Well, it's true isn't it? All we are doing is promoting House unity, something you wanted from the beginning."

"I am not condoning you, Mr. Malfoy, only enquiring. Don't you think being open about your relationship would promote even more House unity?"

Hermione jumped in, not wanting Dumbledore to think she was lying to her friends willingly. "It's too dangerous, Headmaster."

"Maybe, maybe not. Just keep in mind Voldemort's greatest rival."

"Potter?" Draco sounded scornful. What did Harry have to do with their relationship? Hermione knew the boy hated Harry because of the attention he received even when things didn't even have anything to do with him, and hoped Dumbledore's mention of him wouldn't keep Draco in a spiteful mood for the rest of the night.

"No…love." Hermione started at this, first because it was simply unexpected, and then at Dumbledore's assumption that her and Draco were in love. Draco looked just as shocked, but before they could reply, Dumbledore ushered them out of the classroom, mumbling about how everybody must be at the Ball by now, and how they could make the entrance they deserved.

Hermione only had time to exchange an awkward glace with Draco before they were in front of the Great Hall once more. Dumbledore was in front of them, and pushed his way through the doors amongst applause from the students and staff inside. The couple followed him, and the applause faltered for only a moment as the students saw the two together. They complimented each other perfectly, with her dark hair contrasted against his silver-blond and his prevailing height giving her a petite and delicate look.

She glanced over at Harry and Ron, who were scowling at Draco but clapping for their friend, and saw Pansy being held back by Blaise Zambini as she tried to charge the couple, a look of jealousy consuming her face.

The applause soon faded, and the orchestra started. The other students seemed to almost be intimidated by the eerie feel of the dance, but they soon relaxed into it and danced. The Hall was almost silent, except for the mournful sound of the singer's high voice and the trembling violins. Hermione felt Draco all around her, his presence intoxicating her once more.

His eyes flashed in the candlelight and for the first time Hermione felt true intimidation. He had seen so much, and although she had helped Harry through his years with Voldemort, she still couldn't help but feel like a naïve innocent when compared to Draco. His own father had tried to kill him. This level of betrayal could destroy a person, and yet Draco stood firm.

She rested her head against his chest, faintly hoping that nobody was watching them. He held her there, and she knew he wanted to feel as close to her as she wanted to feel to him. His fingers ran along her back as they waltzed, lost within the crowd. Every person was lost in their partner, the music and atmosphere acting like a drug.

Could she love him? Dumbledore's words echoed in her mind. Love…what was it? It is unexplainable, and who could know if they had been entrapped by it or not? Was the way Draco lurked in her mind and caused her to want to only be with him love? And if so, what did that mean?

Did he love her back?

Questions ran through her mind, and she needed an answer. As they passed the door, Hermione gently led Draco towards it, and they glided out, moving as a single person. Only one person noticed.

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