The sound of crashing waves was pounding in Hermione's ears and the sun flashed brightly in her eyes. She walked gingerly across the hardwood floor and brushed her fingers over the soft Hawaiian print couches. Draco watched with an amused grin as Hermione examined the house carefully. She pushed open the glass doors that led to the deck and smiled at the view. Draco delicately pulled her around to face him. They both were smiling at each other with goofy grins.

"Do you like it?" Draco asked wrapping his arms around her.

"Of course I do! But I'm assuming you're not giving it to me, so why do you want me to like it?"

"Well, if you want to you can spend the winter holiday with me." He said. "Here." He looked at her hopefully. Her face lit up with joy, but quickly fell.

"Draco, what about my parents? I want to be able to see them over holiday. I mean, I want to spend it with you to, I love you." She cupped his face with her hands and looked him in the eye.

"She said it again." Draco thought. "I have to say something, I can't let her think I don't feel the same. Come on Draco, think, THINK!" he told himself. He looked around the house then back at Hermione.

"Well," he said. "I suppose we will just have to have them come here for Christmas now, wont we?" Hermione smiled.

"Do you really mean that? You want to spend Christmas with my parents? My i muggle /i parents?"

"Yes, I do."

Hermione squealed with delight and threw her arms around Draco. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! You are the best boyfriend ever!" she cried.

"I know." He said smirking.

"You know Draco, if you don't stop smirking, your face will get stuck like that." Hermione said smartly.

"Well then I guess I'll just have to keep my lips occupied so they wont smirk." He said slyly.

"Oh, and what would you suggest?" Hermione asked playing along.

"This." He bent down and captured her soft lips in his. His strong arms lifted her off the ground and she instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist so she wouldn't fall. He walked backwards down the hall, never letting his lips leave Hermione's once. His tongue tangled with hers that had found its way into his mouth. He set her down in front of a solid oak door.

"I have one more surprise for you." He said breaking the kiss but leaving their lips in contact. She shook her head.

"No, you didn't have to do that. The plans for the holidays were more than enough, I don't need to be spoiled like this." She replied.

"But I like spoiling you. And besides, I had to do this anyways I just thought you might enjoy it as well."

"Draco Malfoy what on earth have you done?" She said sternly. He laughed at her seriousness.

"Don't worry Hermione, I've kept out of trouble, I've just been putting this together…" Her turned the heavy gold handle on the door and held it open for her to see. Hermione gasped.

"It's a…a…it's the largest, most…magnificent and beautiful, and i elaborate /i library I have ever seen." She said flabbergasted. She walked in a daze to the center of the large room and stared at shelves and shelves of books. "Oh my gosh, I'm so happy right now I could just…"

"Dance?" Draco finished for her. She giggled and nodded. In three quick strides he had made it to her and he swooped her up in his arms as he walked past her. With a free hand he conjured up a fast paced waltz tune with his wand, and then he hooked an arm around her trim waist and she grabbed onto his shoulder tightly. They beamed at each other, Hermione giggling as she tried to keep up with Draco's long strides. She pulled herself together and swallowed her laughter. She straightened her back and put more force into her arms. A mysterious glint had appeared in her eye, and it was obvious that a battle for control was beginning to stir. Draco was leading her faster, and more forcefully. Their eyes were locked on one another, neither one backing down. It was a staring contest, and a dance contest. Winner takes all. In this case, the winner gets to gloat as much as he or she pleases. Hermione pulled herself from Draco and spun twice quickly then fell back into step, not missing a beat.

"Not bad Granger, not bad at all." He said smirking. "But you can't beat me. I'm a Malfoy, I always win."

"Well I'm a Granger, and I never give in or back down. Ever. So we'll just have to see about that wont we?" She responded stubbornly. Hermione leaned in really close to Draco so their lips were almost touching. Her hot breath on his face was driving him mad. He looked down at her full, rosy lips for one second, and he stumbled slightly. Hermione grinned evilly, her tactics having had the desired effect. She moved her hand off his shoulder and down his back until she reached the top of his pants. "I've got him now." She thought. She could see the sweat beads forming on his forehead and she knew he was in too good of shape for it to be from their dancing. She slipped a couple fingers under the hem of his pants and felt something hard brush against her thigh. She grinned and tried not to giggle. "Draco Jr." was getting a little too happy from Hermione's bold movements. She stopped dancing and Draco followed her lead, his face flushing pink from embarrassment. It was over, she had one and they both knew it.

Draco cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably before Hermione broke the silence. "Oh don't be embarrassed Draco, in a way it's kind of flattering in a really weird way. I mean, when the guy likes you so much that he gets…okay I'm not helping am I?" She chuckled. Draco swung one arm around her waist and one around her neck and kissed her with all the pent up passion he had in him. She was starting to get into it when he pulled away and whispered into her ear.

"I will get revenge for that one Granger. I don't accept defeat well." He said.

"Oh yes I know that. I have watched Harry beat you in Quidditch for six years."

"You will pay for that one young lady." He made a grab for her but she was too quick for him. She ran barefooted out the door, down the hall, through the common room, and out onto the back porch. Draco ran after her and pulled her down into the plush green grass. They tumbled in a heap of laughter and limbs. They stopped moving and lay next to each other on their backs, gazing up at the clear morning sky. Hermione sighed.

"This place is perfect. It's like, Malibu Barbie's Dream House or something."

"Malibu what?" Draco asked confused.

"If i someone /i ," Hermione poked him in the ribs. "Would pay attention in Muggle Studies, he would know that Barbie is a muggle play toy that little girls play with. She is perfect in every way and has the most ideal life, and this house looks like something from the Barbie play collection." Hermione rolled onto her stomach and looked at Draco. "We need to get back. I have to put some normal clothes on before the meeting, I can't very well wear this can I?" she pulled at Draco's shirt that she was wearing. Draco smirked.

"Why not? I bet I'm not the only one who thinks you look sexy in my clothes."

"Draco, you know why I can't. People would know we're together and I'm not ready to tell them yet. Besides, it would look like we just…you know."

"Shagged?" He raised an eyebrow. Hermione blushed and nodded. She stood up and brushed the grass and dirt from her bottom then offered her hand to Draco. He took her petite hand in his big one and kissed it. She smiled and yanked at his hand, trying to get him to move faster.

"Hold on Hermione, you've got something on you, hold on I'll get it." He reached out and grabbed her butt.

"Hey! That is very inappropriate." she exclaimed. She was grinning though, so Draco didn't think she was actually mad. They traveled back to Hogwarts together through the emerald green flames. Tumbling out of the fireplace, Hermione raced upstairs to get changed. Minutes later she came back down with a denim skirt and a black turtleneck shirt on. She slid her feet into a pair of casual slip-ons and headed in the direction of the portrait hole.

"Are you coming?" She asked impatiently. Draco got up from the lazy chair he had been sitting in and walked over to Hermione.

"Yeah, it looks like I am doesn't it?"

"Let's just get this over with. Then we have to run everything by Professor McGonagall. Oh yes, and I must get that extra credit in to Professor Binns by this afternoon as well…" Hermione began going through her entire schedule. Draco tuned her out and focused in his own thoughts. He loved how she was so outgoing when she was with him, but she never wanted to change herself to fit him better. She remained Hermione Granger, bookworm, worrywart, and highly opinionated free thinker that she had always been, but Draco brought out her more sensual side. The side that ruled her tango dancing, risk taking, relationship having, unbelievably good snogger, side. He looked over at her and smiled. She was still talking a million miles per minute.

"…and I think it would be a great idea. What do you think Draco?" She looked at him expectantly.

"I… er, I think it's a brilliant idea." He said hoping that was the answer she wanted to hear. He watched her smile grow broader. "Yes, I got it right." He thought. They stopped in front of the meeting room and Hermione took a deep breath and adjusted her skirt. She flicked her hair around a bit then put a smile on and walked through the doorway, Draco close on her heals.

"Good afternoon everyone, I'm sorry we're a little late but let's get started right away." Hermione and Draco took their seats at the long table with all the prefects. "So… Brianna did you get the flyers for the Christmas Ball posted?" Hermione asked the Ravenclaw prefect. The girl nodded.

"Yes, I put them up last week, just like you asked." She said.

"Good. I'm guessing everyone knows its tomorrow night then?" The whole table nodded. "Well, great. I know it's a bit last minute this year, and I'm sorry that I fell behind in planning but due to the absence of our Head Boy, I was unable to get all the work done." She glanced over and Draco and he reached for her hand under the table. She smiled at him and continued. "However, we are back on schedule and every thing is set for tomorrow. There is class on Monday so I would suggest going straight to bed after the Ball and not partying. I have a notice from Madam Pomfrey saying that she will b not /b be distributing hang over potion Monday morning. If you all could pass on that message to the members of your houses, I think we can avoid some migraines. The Ball will commence at 8 o'clock and will go till midnight, but of course you are not required to stay for the entire time." Hermione lectured.

"You will all need to have a date, as well." Draco added, looking at Hermione as he said it. He squeezed her and she grinned and nodded at him. "So don't forget to ask someone."

"If there aren't any questions then I think we are done here." She concluded. Dennis Creevy spoke up.

"I have a question. Why do you always do all the work when all that lazy arse does is sit around and take credit for your work? He's not hurting you is he Hermione?" Denis said angerly.

"Dennis, Draco does work very hard. We are a team, he just had other matters to take care of last week. I do not appreciate you accusations. This meeting is over." She stood and walked briskly towards the door. She forgot that her hand was intertwined with Draco's and she pulled him up as well, exposing their joined hands. Not stopping to look at the surprised and confused faces behind her she stomped out of the room. Once they were out, she began ranting.

"How dare he? I never let anyone take credit for my hard work! Not even you (no offence). And its not like it's your fault that you had to leave last week, you couldn't help it! And besides, we're back on track so it's not like he had any bloody thing to worry about!"

"Hermione, calm down. I think the cat is out off the bag." Draco said.

"What are you talking about?" she asked confused. He held up their hands for her to see. She looked at them and her face went blank.

"Oh…" she said quietly. "Maybe they didn't notice?" she suggested. He shook his head.

"Oh they noticed all right. But hey, we were planning on telling everyone tomorrow anyways right? I mean, you will go with me to the Ball wont you?" Draco asked.

"Of course I will. I would love to."

"Then there is nothing to worry about. Right?"

"Right…" Hermione agreed, but somehow she wasn't so sure.