A/N: Well, it's the chapter you've all been waiting for minus next one. Enjoy. And btw: This chapter needs at least 15 reviews for me to post the next one soon. Otherwise, twenty if you want it ASAP because... I just finished chapter 11 and need motivation for Chapter 12 as it'll probably be the last one.
Chapter 10:
She almost thought she was selling her soul to the devil. What in Merlin's name had she just agreed to? She only wished that everything would turn out well. After all, this was in the 'greater good' and trying to unite the houses once and for all. So, why did she feel like she was in store for disaster?
'Oh that's right, I agreed willingly to go along with Malfoy's evil, sadistic, yet peculiarly interesting plan that just may work.' She smiled to herself and shook her head. She had to admit that she thought that a masquerade ball for fourth years and up was the right idea.
When McGonagall first agreed to it and announced it, they all seemed quite excited. What the students didn't know was that they had a plan. No one would remember who was wearing what costume, and she wouldn't let them distinguish between voices. They would have their masks stay put until midnight when all would be revealed. Then, they could realize the people they were talking to all along were probably from other houses. She hoped that this would help unite Gryffindors and Slytherins particularly.
She didn't know what enchantments could be used to make it work, and it all seemed quite illogical and impossible to her. But Draco said he had it all figured out. She decided to trust him on it.
She wondered if the students would be angry and storm out, but somehow she figured that they wouldn't mind being able to flirt and make comments anonymously. She hoped they just didn't end up brawling because someone let a rumor or comment slip to the particular person they were talking about.
Once again, she thought that this all seemed like a disaster. It all seemed like it would fall apart. Yet, it all seemed so bloody brilliant that she couldn't help but laugh at it as she looked at herself in the mirror. At least her friends would be attending also to help chaperone. She didn't know whether Draco was putting the same enchantments on them as he was going to do to all incoming students. She hoped not.
Then she heard Draco laughing as he entered her rooms. Merlin help her, and the students, and Ron and Viktor. She looked at herself in the mirror again. She loved her costume. As cheesy as it sounded, she was a veela. She always loved what she wore to the ball in her fourth year. She loved the feelings of just being seen as a girl instead of just another one of the guys (or a colleague/professor now).
She walked through her open door and saw Draco waiting for her. He was Zorro.
"Not too Muggle for you?" She asked at his costume. He smirked at her before shaking his head, moving his sword in the Z shape over and over again.
"You look more beautiful than usual, Ms. Granger." He said as his eyes found hers intensely. He looked so sincere that she couldn't help but blush.
"You look wonderful yourself, Mr. Malfoy." She said, smiling at him. He smiled back and took her hand, leading her to the Great Hall where there was already a crowd gathered waiting to go in.
Some of the boys looked at her and made cat calls to which Draco automatically deducted points and threatened detentions. She couldn't help but blush. Maybe she made the wrong choice by being dressed in her strapless red dress that was layered at the bottom and stopped just at her knees. She felt like she was too revealing as a Professor, but hell… she was young.
"Students! May I have your attention." She requested more than asked as everyone but a few Slytherins quieted down. "Oh yes, Mr. Green, Mr. Bell, and Ms. Fredrick, is there something you'd like to share? Because you'll have plenty of time in the detention you'll be serving right now with Mr. Filch instead of attending the ball if you so choose to continue disrupting." She said sternly. They shot her dirty looks before quieting down
"As Professor Granger was saying, we have a surprise for you. But, that it is for you to see when you enter." He waved his wand and the doors opened. Students excitedly stepped through, confused looks plaguing their faces as they went through the doors. Draco winked at Hermione from the front where they were now situated.
"As Professor Malfoy and I can tell by your confused faces, you have just forgotten whom you were with as well as what they were wearing. I also notice you can't get your masks off. That is because the purpose of this ball was unity. Now, have a good time and meet people. At midnight, the spells will be lifted. Enjoy!" Hermione smiled as the students all suddenly became very loud and rowdy for a few minutes before calming down.
"And they can't tell their names or houses?" Hermione asked him. Draco simply shook his head. A deal with the devil indeed. She wondered how it would feel not to be able to recognize who people were. "This is the work of a Slytherin and a Slytherin only."
He smiled and winked, "Thank you."
The night passed by, and it was almost midnight. She could see one of the Slytherins who had previously interrupted her talking to Colin Creevey as if they were the greatest of friends, and the girl had even flirtatiously kissed him on the cheek. She was amused and wondered how it would go over when they found out who they were.
"This is brilliant, Draco." She said, spinning around on the dance floor with him. He had asked her to dance just a few seconds ago.
They had hired some popular wizard band that was now playing a slow song the few minutes before it hit midnight. She had talked to Draco all night, not being able to find her friends. Maybe the spell had partially hit her and Draco also. She shrugged. He was so nice to talk to.
She started to tear up as she thought about the wonderful people who were so close to her. She had warm, caring, handsome Viktor who had always been there for her when she needed it, who she currently had a big crush on. She had Ron who was one half of her life (Harry being the other) for seven years in Hogwarts and even now. He was her best friend. She had the man who was holding her so close.
Wait a minute.
Too close, maybe.
"Thank you, but why are you so upset then?" He whispered into her ear over the loud music.
"No, I'm fine." She smiled at him, "I was just thinking about my life now. Have you ever been so happy that you could just burst? That's how I feel right now. I only wish I had Harry back, too."
"You're so amazing sometimes. I wonder how I could've ever judged you because of something as petty and worthless as blood. I don't know how anyone could not love you. I don't know how Krum could be so blind as to not take the feelings you have for him and run with them. If I had you, I'd never let you go. I wish things were different sometimes." He said, spilling his feelings out.
She was surprised at his words. Yes, she also wished things were different but for different reasons. Neither of them noticed that it rang midnight and the students were now make quite a commotion. What they did notice was their lips touching against each other in a gentle kiss.
When they broke apart they turned red and looked at their work. It looked like the students had gotten the point of this as no one turned and ran the other way from the people they were talking to.
"Bloody brilliant." She said. Then she saw Ron and Viktor approaching her. She ignored them for a second before continuing her dance with Draco. "Thank you for this evening and for the kiss. But you know that…"
"I know." He said, smiling. "Go get your Bulgarian." He said, breaking away from her and pushing her toward Viktor.
Ron had cleared off and was now, surprisingly, chatting with Draco. She looked him over. He was dressed as a Quidditch player, of all things. She couldn't help but giggle.
"How was your evening?" She asked as she took his hand to dance.
"Lovely. Yours?" He asked, pointing to Draco. His voice was rough. What was that weird tone and look in his eyes. Jealousy?
"Mine was absolutely brilliant. I guess Draco's plan worked. Only I wish that I could've spent some time with you and Ron."
"Yes. Draco's plan worked." He seemed a bit angry.
"Viktor, what's wrong? Did you not enjoy yourself?" She asked, frowning deeply.
Then it happened. His face lit up, and his brown eyes were glowing with so much passion of different sorts that she felt heat on every inch of her body. His hair seemed to stand on edge. Her hand that he was holding and her waist were simply explosive.
"Tonight was wrong. I should've been with you. It should've been me dancing with you. It should've been me doing what I'm about to do. Oh, Hermione, why are you so dense sometimes? I asked you out a few years ago as more than a friend. I wanted more, and I always have, and I still do." He got deathly close to her. "Do. Not. Play. Games. With. Me. Either you want me or you don't! No more subtle flirting or stolen glances. I love you. And I'm tired of waiting for you to figure it out!"
His lips came crashing down on hers. What was that thing that others felt when they kissed? Electricity. This felt like a thunderstorm. It was as if all of the passion from his eyes had migrated southward, and she kissed him back with so much. It was frenzied yet amazing.
When they broke apart, she sighed a breath of relief. Finally.
A/N: You guys know how I usually start the chapter at another day? Well, next chappy is a continuation of this one. Prepare for Rated M lovely action. ;) I also think this is the third to last chappy. I think 12 may be the last. This pairing is annoying me... dunno why, but it is. I miss my Draco/Hermione stories.
A/N 2: What would you guys think if i took this chappy and altered it around and made it into a different story where it's Draco/Herm? Sorry can't help those thoughts.
Chapter 9 Review R to the E to the P to the... K I'm lazy... Replies.
Jessika: Well, I suppose you could've. Lucky for you, huh? Hah. Thanks for the review.
AkureiInuKitsune: I will update soon. Pinky promise. :)
SupastarEden: I do that all the time with friends then we freak out and laugh a billion times. And yes... being addicted to this story is not necessarily a bad thing (as you can see from this chapter). Haha.
lazyllama101: I'm waiting for it! LOL. I will update asap.
Kichou: As you can see, the idea worked out fabulously for everything.
Prissy and Bregan: I will indeed update soon!
les-cam: I love Draco too. I wish they could've shagged right then and there. Haha.
ThePranksterQueens: points to next chapter
Ms.BiancaGrint: Well duhh. Draco is only the most amazering ever.
Diblik: No prob. Thanks for the review. Hope you enjoy this story. :)
Chapter 11 Preview (and no I'm not givin you the rated M stuff. You gotta work for that).
Meanwhile, Draco was wrapping up the ball. Now close to 2AM, he ushered all the Prefects to get their students back to their respective dormitories. He, Ron, and the Head Boy (a scrawny Hufflepuff he didn't care about) and Head Girl (Ginny Weasley) were now using spells of all sorts to clean up the Great Hall. Its bright decorations were now being neatly wrapped up and shrunken to fit into two boxes while the trash was being made to magically disappear.
He noticed the youngest Weasley (minus Bill's children) walk up to him with a sure look on her face. He raised his eyebrow and put a smirk on his face characteristically until she stopped right in front of him. Her fiery hair seemed to simply erupt into flames, and her eyes were boring straight into his. If it was anyone but him, it would've felt a bit intimidating and make them back down from the intense gaze. But since it was him, he simply stared back.
"May I help you, Miss Weasley?" He asked, letting the formality of how he addressed her ring. He kept his smirk plastered as he saw that everyone else had cleared out.
'Deadbeats.' He thought to himself seeing as there was still some work left to be done.
"I'm only your student for a few more months, Professor."