Disclaimer: I own nothing. All props to JK Rowling.

Chapter 10 – Hidden Confessions of Love

(MAJOR A/N: I updated before this! I changed the number of the chapters around. Instead of there being an intro and chapter 1, it's all in chapter 1. So, chapter 9 is new! It was posted 8-25-04. And now this is a new chapter.)

One day, about a month before Christmas holiday, Hermione found herself absentmindedly wondering the corridors after classes. She didn't know where she was going. She just let her feet carry her wherever they wanted. After a few minutes, she found herself facing a familiar door.

"Helen of Troy," she said, as the door swung open. She carefully walked through. She could hear loud dance music. She walked into Draco's main room to see the music coming from a charmed gramophone. She also found Draco dancing. Draco Malfoy, prized Prince of Slytherin, dancing to techno music. He wasn't a good dancer, not by any means. But it was very humorous. She watched as he spun around in quick circles, discoed, even belly danced. The belly dancing was enough for Hermione. She tapped him on the shoulder.

"ARGHH!!" Draco yelled in surprise. "Hermione! Hi!" he shouted as he walked towards the gramophone to turn it down. "What brings you here?"

"I came for dance lessons of course," Hermione said trying not to laugh.

"Don't make fun of me. It's not like I do it when people are watching. I have the right to dance as badly as I want in the privacy of my own room. Not that it's that private when people barge in," Draco said, teasing.

"Barging in? Fine, I'll just leave you to it then."

"I'm kidding. Jesus Granger. Just stay." Hermione rolled her eyes at the Slytherin.

"So, how long have you been dancing?"

"DAMMIT GRANGER!! I told you not to make fun of me!"

"I'm not, I'm just-"

"Just what? You're not that great of a dancer either, so shut it."

"When have you ever seen me dance?" Hermione asked.

"At the Yule Ball."

"The Yule Ball? That was almost 3 years ago! I could have gotten much better since then!"

"Right. Keep telling yourself that," Draco said. Hermione marched over to the gramophone and turned it back up.

"Come here," she said to Draco. He walked towards her, slightly hesitant.

"What are you doing?" he asked as she stepped closer to him and started dipping and swaying her hips.

"I'm teaching you how to dance. Now, it's best to just follow my lead. When I move, you move."

"Just like this?" Draco said as he tried to mimic Hermione's movements.

"Not quite. You're not my reflection. You're my partner. We dance together." She put her hands on his hips to help show him how to move.

Draco blushed. Hermione was touching him, and she had called him her partner.

"See! You're getting the hang of it!" Hermione said, laughing happily.

"Hermione..." Draco said.

"Hmm?" she said looking up at him. He pointed his wand at the gramophone. The tempo changed to a tango of sorts. He placed one arm around her waist and the other held her hand at shoulder level.

Hermione was blown away as Draco lead her across the room. He lifted her, and spun her around. This boy could dance. Hermione had never tangoed before. But she loved it. It was aggressive and rough. Hermione didn't have many options to be aggressive. The end of the song came too soon.

"That was amazing," Hermione said, breathless.

Draco's breathing was still regular.

"I can dance, you know. That display earlier was just...me being crazy. Haven't you ever just bopped around your room when you thought no one was watching?"

Hermione bit her lip as she thought about this. Draco fought the urge to grab her and kiss her senseless.

"Well, yes. I suppose I have. Where did you learn to dance?" she asked as he changed the song on the gramophone. It was now play a slow ballad.

"My father taught me." Draco took Hermione in his arms again.

As they danced, Draco started singing. He had a beautiful voice. She rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes. She started humming along with the song. She was thoroughly enjoying this moment.

Hermione's eyes flew open. This was just like her dream. She was dancing with Draco, just like she did with her Prince. And Draco was singing, just like her Prince. Hermione pulled away quickly like she had just gotten burned.

"I have to go," she said as she bolted out of the room.

Draco stood and stared at the door. He sighed and turned the gramophone off. For a brief moment, he had her. Her, the woman he couldn't help being in love with. Even if it was only for a few precious minutes that he would never forget, he had her.

Hermione ran all the way to the Gryffindor tower. She sat outside for a few minutes to catch her breath. Draco was her Prince. He was singing to her. They were dancing. Everything fit. Hermione started to cry. She didn't want Draco to be her Prince. She was in love with Ron.

Love?

'Am I in love?' she asked herself. A picture of Ron's face flashed in her mind. Her stomach flutter and her face grew hot.

"I am," she said out loud. She smiled. 'I don't care if Draco is my Prince. I choose Ron.'

She walked into the common room. She found Ron sitting on the couch, asleep. She smiled. He was cute.

She walked over to him. She leaned down and kissed him on the cheek.

Ron stirred as he started to wake up.

"Ugh," he said. "How long was I asleep?"

"I don't know, I just walked in," Hermione told him.

"Where were you?" Ron asked.

"Not with you, which is why I'm here now."

"You what?" Ron said, obviously confused.

Hermione leaned in and kissed him passionately.

"Ron," she started. She wanted to tell him.

There were a few minutes of silence.

"What is it Hermione?" Ron asked concerned.

"I'm really tired, so I'm going to bed."

"Oh," Ron said, sounding disappointed. "All right. Sweet dreams then." He kissed her good night and watched her as she retreated up stairs.

(A/N: That was a new chapter! I want to thank my reviewers.

This concludes thanking my reviewers.

Chapter 11 is well on the way. I'm just tweaking and making it as perfect as I can. I will post it as soon as it's done!)