Chapter 10! I really want to thank you now for all your reviews! I had so many this morning and it made me so happy. I'm glad you're okay with some gushiness for now, but I assure you very much there is lots of action, I just need to drag the story out so it's longer. Don't forget to review!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter 10: The Halloween Ball

It had been a month since Draco's parents escaped. They had been in hiding with absolutely no trace on where they could be and have done nothing to show they were planning something, but Draco knew better than to trust his own parents. He knew they were planning something big for him and were waiting for the right time to strike. Draco voiced his thoughts about his parents to Hermione after some time of thinking about it.

"I'm worried too, Draco." she was concerned just as much as him and had been thinking along the same lines.

"I hate when they lay low like this." he said angrily," I want to know what they have in store for me already."

"Calm down, Draco," she stood up next to him," we will get through this, it's only a matter of time, so let's make the best of it." she said and gave him a kiss.

"Alright…" he said giving up," but Hermione, what if they kill me or take me away from you? I don't think either of us can handle that, especially you."

"I don't think I could handle it either." she said barely above a whisper.

"Look, we should do just what you said, make the best of what we have left."

"Okay."

"Okay, want to go get some lunch?" he didn't want her to think about everything right now.

"Sure." and they walked down to the Great Hall. As of late, Draco had been thinking of letting the whole school know they're together and he chose right now to ask Hermione.

Right before they went into the Great Hall, he turned to Hermione and asked her one last question before they separated to their tables.

"Hermione, I've been thinking, I think we should let the school know about us…" he said nervously.

"I don't know, Draco." she said.

"Come on, Hermione, I want to let the school know exactly what I have and they don't." he kissed her and this won her over.

"Okay, I've been trying to figure how to tell Harry and Ron anyways and this could be just the way." she said looking straight into her favorite stormy-grey eyes.

"Okay, come on," he pushed open the double doors. He entwined his fingers with hers and pulled her back to him as she turned to walk to her table. He gave her a sweet and unforgettable kiss. He pulled himself away from her and asked her if she was sure about this.

"Yes." she said with a smile and turned to her table. The whole hall was quiet after what they had just seen. Hermione walked over to her two stunned friends and a really happy one.

"Hey, guys." she said, more nervous than ever.

"'Hey, guys' is all you have to say for yourself?" Ron asked, not believing what he just saw.

"Yes, that is all I have to say." she said back to him.

"Hermione, you just kissed Draco Malfoy. Why the hell did you do that?" asked Harry this time.

"Because we've been dating for a long time now." she said, still not sure whether to tell them that they love each other.

"What!" said Ron and Harry, not caring who heard them, "What the fuck is going on Hermione?" asked a red faced Ron.

"I'm dating Draco Malfoy." she said with her anger rising quickly.

"What the fuck is wrong with you Hermione?" Harry wasn't believing his ears.

But before Hermione had a chance to reply, someone else spoke up for her, which made Hermione really happy. She was really glad she told Ginny everything about her and Draco and how they loved each other.

"What the fuck is wrong with you two?" asked a very pissed off Ginny.

"What's wrong with us? What about Hermione? She's the one dating Malfoy!" said Ron.

"So what!" said Ginny, "They love each other and he makes her happy. You haven't fucking noticed that she's more happier than ever and that she talks to us more than she ever did! If you didn't, there's fucking something wrong with you two!" this is the most pissed Hermione's ever seen Ginny. After her comment, Ginny grabbed Hermione's arm and pulled her out of the Great Hall. Draco followed suit to make sure Hermione was okay, after all, the whole school heard their conversation at the Gryffindor Table.

"Thank you so much Ginny!" said Hermione giving Ginny the biggest hug ever.

"You're welcome Hermione," she said just as happy.

"Did you mean what you said in there?' asked Hermione.

"Yes, you're more happier than I've ever seen you and I've known you for 6 years now. You talk to me so much more and open up to me, which is something you've never done before." she said sincerely.

"Thank you, Ginny, he really does make me happy." said Hermione giving her another hug. When they pulled apart, they heard the doors open again. Hermione and Ginny turned around to see Draco walking up to Hermione and giving her another very passionate kiss.

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Draco walked over to his table and sat down next to Blaise, who had a big smile on his face. Draco knew exactly what he was smiling at and didn't need to ask when he sat down. He was smiling at how he finally hooked up with one of the hottest girls in school.

"Hello, Draco." he said happily.

"Hey, Blaise." Draco said pulling some food over to him.

"Well?" said an expecting Blaise.

"Well what?" asked a now confused Draco.

"Well, spill." he said

"Spill what? There's nothing to tell."

"Oh come on, Draco, you can seriously tell me you have the hots for this girl and you're finally dating her and you haven't shagged her yet?"

"Yes." he said casually.

"Whoa, you really have fallen for this girl, huh?"

"Yes, I have, Blaise."

"I can't believe it, The Draco Malfoy, the Slytherin Sex Prince, has fallen in love with a girl." said an amazed Blaise.

"Yeah, so?"

"I think that's a good thing. Now you can hopefully get Pansy to leave us all alone."

"You seriously don't care that I've fallen for Hermione?"

"Nope, we're best friends, man, it doesn't matter to me. Plus…" he looked around to make sure no one was listening, "I like her little redheaded friend."

"Ginny? I get Hermione to talk to her for you."

"Really? Cool, let me as soon as you find out, alright?"

But before Draco answered, he heard Ginny almost yelling at the top of her lungs at the two boys right in front of her.

"Feisty one, isn't she?" Blaise said to no one in particular.

Draco rolled his eyes and saw Ginny pull Hermione out of the hall and he decided to follow them. As soon as he got out there, he just had to give Hermione a kiss.

"You were great, both of you," he said looking at Ginny when they pulled apart," I actually had no idea that Hermione used to so unhappy." he said looking back at her.

"Yeah, she was, until she met you." Ginny said with a smile.

Hermione blushed a deep crimson, but said nothing. Draco laughed at this.

"What's so funny?" she asked him.

"You look so cute when you blush." he said still laughing a bit.

"Hey!" she playfully punched his arm. He replied with another kiss. Ginny rolled her eyes while watching them.

"Go get a room." she said half-jokingly and walked back to the Great hall. I wonder what she'll say to them now Hermione thought to herself.

They couldn't say anything else to each other for they suddenly heard a very high shriek from the person they didn't want to see right now.

"DRAKIEEEEE!" she screamed and practically tackled him to the floor.

"Get off me, Parkinson!" he yelled trying to push all of her fat off of him so he could get up.

"Drakie-poo, what did the evil mudblood do to you to make you kiss her?" she threw Hermione an evil glare.

"Nothing, Pansy, get off me!" he pushed her off finally and got up and stood next to Hermione and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"But Draco!" she objected," Why are you dating a mudblood? I thought you hated her."

"Wrong again, Parkinson." he pulled Hermione towards the corridor that lead them to their dorm.

"DRACO! She did something to your-"

"Shut up, Parkinson!" he yelled down the hall.

"Drakiee-bear!" Draco hurriedly lead Hermione back to their dorm and quickly got inside.

"Is she always like that?" Hermione asked exasperatedly.

"Most unfortunately, yes." he said leaning back against the door.

"Excuse me?" asked someone behind them. They turned around at the voice and found the Headmaster's head in the fire.

"Yes, Professor Dumbledore?" asked Hermione, who was now sitting in front of him.

"I am here to discuss the ball we will be having on Halloween. The both of you will be organizing everything from music to decorations to dates. There will be a special hour for the seventh years at the end of the ball. You will be pairing the seventh years up who they are most likely not to go with." he said casually.

"Why do we chose they are most likely not to go with?" asked Draco.

"Because, of course, of house unity. Obviously, most of the Gryffindors will be will be with Slytherins and they will have to find a way to get along during the ball, hopefully becoming somewhat friends." he drawled," You will have to tell them that they need to wear special costumes in the last hour that covers their identity and they will have to find their partner by going through everyone else. This will count as a grade because otherwise, they wouldn't bother with it."

"Makes sense…" said Hermione.

"Yes, of course, I did happen to catch this morning and I would be happy ask the Head Boy and Girl to go with each other, if you'd like…" he asked them with a twinkle in his eye.

Draco's face lit up like a light bulb. Hermione grinned at him.

"We appreciate this very much, Professor." said Hermione happily.

"You're welcome, Miss Granger," he replied, "Any questions?"

They shook their heads. "Very well, then, I will let you know about anything new. Good-bye." and his head disappeared. Hermione stood and walked to Draco.

"I'm glad we get to go together." she said.

"Me too and it will be fun pairing everyone up." he grinned evilly.

"No kidding, just wait who I pair Ron and Harry with." she smirked.

"Oh yeah, Blaise has a thing for Ginny, can we pair them together?"

"Yeah, I'll ask tell her later."

"Great."

Hermione and Draco immediately started planning the ball. The arranged the Weird Sisters for the music and Draco convinced Hermione to let the elves do the food and drinks. All was left was decorations and pairing people up and, of course, some final touches that can be added later.

A few hours later they got the decorations sorted out. They decided to have a lot of pumpkins that scream as you pass them, skeletons that will be walking around to hand out drinks, and floating candles all around. They also decided to have just the basic Halloween look, orange and black colors. All they had now to do now was pair people up.

"Okay, are we done with the pairing?" Hermione asked tiredly.

"Yeah, finally." Draco was also tired.

"Good."

Draco leaned up and gave her a classic kiss. She pulled his back when he tried to pull away, he was glad of this. They'd been snogging for a while when someone knocked at the door. Draco growled and leaned off Hermione to get the door.

"What do you want?" he said while opening the door, not knowing who it was yet.

"We want to talk to Hermione." said Harry, Ron right next to him.

"Well, I doubt she wants to talk to you." Draco scowled at them.

"He's right." said Hermione now putting her arms around Draco from behind him.

"Hermione-" said Ron, but he cut himself off when Hermione kissed Draco.

"Hermione-" this time it was Harry and he was cut off by Hermione.

"Save it, I don't want to hear it." and she closed the door.

Hermione started to laugh. So did Draco.

"I can't believe it you just kissed me in front of them. I like the way you think." he kissed her again.

"You know, being with you has made me different, have you noticed?" she asked him.

"Yeah, actually, I have. You have more of a backbone than you did before." he said.

"I like it." she said.

"Good." he started where he left off before the Pothead and Weasel interrupted.

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The day before the ball, Draco and Hermione put up a list of names with their partners next to them for the seventh years. On the bottom of the list, this is what it said:

Harry Potter Pansy Parkinson

Ron Weasley Millicent Bulstrode

Ginny Weasley Blaise Zabini

Hermione Granger Draco Malfoy

Cho Chang Gregory Goyle

Luna Lovegood Vincent Crabbe

Hermione and Draco were standing behind everyone while they checked out the list. They could hear everyone moaning and groaning because they didn't want to go with their partners. All except for two people were groaning. Ginny and Blaise. Hermione and Draco introduced them the day before and they hit it off as soon they saw each other. After a few moments with everyone checking out the list, Harry turned around and walked towards Hermione.

"Why did you put me with Parkinson, Hermione?" he wasn't too happy with this.

"Because we were supposed to put you with the person you were most compatible with, Harry." she spat back.

"Then why are you with him?" he glared at Draco, who couldn't help but smile.

"Head Boy and Girl are going together under Dumbledore's orders." he smirked.

"Whatever." and Harry stalked off with Ron. Hermione still felt somewhat bad because they were always her friends and were there for her no matter what, but she loved Draco too and she wanted them to accept it, but she wasn't sure if they will. She still had her hopes up.

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On the day of the ball, Hermione and Ginny met at the Heads' Dorm to help each other get ready. Hermione was going to wear a dress until the hour for the seventh years. Ginny was going to be a witch. Hermione's dress was blood red and was low-cut. It had a v-neck and a small slit in the middle to show the swell of her breasts. Ginny's costume consisted of a beautiful, but fierce hat, a tight, black and purple shirt with sleeves that were cut in half so they hung down around her arms, and black skirt with spiked ends. Both girls had shoes to match their outfits.

Draco wore a black suit with a gold-ish white tie. He had something simple to wear unlike the girls. Blaise did too. He wore a black suit with a white dress shirt with a black tie. They both spiked their hair with gel. Hermione walked to their room to see if they were ready.

"Are you two ready yet?" she asked with Ginny at her side.

"Yeah." they said in unison and opened the door. Their jaws dropped to the floor.

"Are you coming?" asked Ginny, trying to get their detention.

Draco recovered first.

"Hermione, you look beautiful." he said, still a bit stunned. He walked up to her and gave her a sweet kiss.

"You too." said Blaise to Ginny.

"Thank you." Ginny said. Hermione was still kissing Draco.

"Save some for the ball, you two." said Blaise holding his arm out for Ginny. They broke apart and Hermione blushed slightly. Draco still grinned at this no matter how many times she did it.

"Will you stop laughing at me when I blush?" she said sweetly.

"I can't help it." he said.

"Let's just go." Ginny said, and they left for the ball in the Great Hall. When they opened the doors, Hermione and Draco were happy how well it turned out in the decorations.

"Great job, you two." said Professor McGonagall and she went to dance with Professor Dumbledore. "Yeah, you guys did great." said Blaise and him and Ginny went to the dance floor. Draco and Hermione followed. They walked in on a slow song and Hermione put her arms around Draco and he grabbed her hips.

"You look so beautiful, Hermione." he said sweetly.

"You don't look so bad yourself, handsome." she replied. He kissed her again… for like the billionth time tonight.

After the song ended, they just wanted to sit down and see how everyone was liking the ball. They could tell Ron and Harry were not liking the party, considering they weren't even talking to their partners, who at the current time were trying to get the boys to get them drinks.

Hermione had been talking to Draco when they realized it was time for everyone to clear out for the seventh years special hour. All the older kids walked up to their room to get changed into their costumes and alternate their appearances. Hermione walked up to her dorm with Draco and they split into their rooms and got into their costumes.

Hermione wore a black gown that accentuated her curves the exact way she wanted them too. She wore a black mask that covered her eyes and nose and made her hair slightly blonde. She wore black shoes with it. Draco wore another black suit, but it didn't look at all like the one he wore before and he wore a black tie. He made his hair more brown, not at all showing his blonde. He left it down rather than spiked. He went to the door and called out Hermione's name. No answer. He decided it was okay to leave for the ball.

When he got into the hall, most of the seventh years were already in there. He walked to the punch bowl to get some punch and to see if he could see Hermione. He'd only been around for a few minutes when Dumbledore made an announcement.

"Now that you all are here, the women will have to find their partners and the men will just have to sit tight until they find you, even if you see them. Good luck." he sat back down.

Hermione had been looking everywhere until she found Draco. She saw him standing at the punch bowl. She didn't notice him because he changed his appearance very well. The only reason she noticed him was because of his eyes. They were her favorite and she couldn't forget them even if she tried. She casually walked over to the punch bowl and poured herself some punch. He didn't even take notice of her. He turned away and she picked this time to do what she wanted. She walked in front of him kissed him very passionately. He pulled himself away from her.

"I never forget how my girl kisses me." he kissed her again.

"I could never forget those eyes, they're the only reason I found you." she said returning the kiss.

"I like how you did you appearance." he said stepping away and turning her around.

"You did just as well, but I think the old Draco is way more better." she grinned.

"Thank you," he said," I do too with the old Hermione."

"Thank you….I wonder if Harry or Ron found their dates." she said more to herself.

"I doubt it." said Draco.

"Oh well, want to dance?" she asked him.

"Sure." and they danced for the last half-hour of the ball. Taking a breather every few songs.

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This is the longest chapter you're getting! Lol but it took me forever to write this cuz my family kept interrupting me so… yeah but I doubt you'll get another one this long… how did you like the hair changing thing? Emma Watson's hair is really blonde and Tom Felton's is really brown so I thought I should add that. Review please…. And if you want to see Draco in his first suit for the ball then go to my profile and you can get the link for it. Ttyl