Disclaimer: It is 2 AM. I am up, talking to my sister. It's her turn to visit my aunt, so she's in Kentucky, and I miss her lots (but she R/R'd my fic, so she's in my good graces again... ^_^ Now, JK Rowling does have a sister. However, she doesn't have 4... (like me) And even if she did, she's not up at this hour, IMing one that is in Kentucky..... ^_^ Hmmm... I am.... She's not.... I must not be her!!!!

AN: I don't believe it will be possible to get the ball done before school starts, as it has already started, and there will probably be about 3 more chapters left of the ball. However, you all have my word that I will NOT abandon this fic, and I will lug my notebook around with me everywhere, and will probably pretend to be sick a couple of times, so I can write in the Nurse's Office... ^_^ (It's quite easy.... Hehe....)

AN2: OK, the thing that they've done with the names is driving me crazy, so I'm thinking about maybe changing mine... Probably something along the lines of 'Luna_Lovegood' or something. (She's cool! And she's just like me!!! --I can read upside down, so I actually do it someimes just for a laugh--) So, review and tell me what you think... Or should it be something to do with Shaylee.... Hmmm....

~*~*~**~*~*~

The excitement in the Great Hall was growing as it grew closer to midnight. Shaylee and Severus (mainly Severus) had to try harder to hold back all the mischief. Shaylee, was, quite obviously, having a blast while her companion was busy deducting points.

On the other side of the hall, Draco and Hermione were sitting, talking quietly and holding each other's hands. They were smiling softly at each other, and whenever someone walked by them, they had a sense that they were walking across something that wasn't to be disturbed.

"So, are you sure that we should stay for the unmasking?"

"We can't go anywhere else. The parties for the little kids are going on until midnight," Draco ponted out.

Hermione sighed and smiled up at him. "I'm sorry that I'm so worried."

"That's alright, Hermione. But, I've got everything under control. I've done exactly what my father said so far." He grinned down at her. "He never exactly said not to tell you...."

Hermione laughed. "I'm sure he thought you'd have more sense than that!" she mocked, knocking on his head.

"Sense? Me? No... A witch named Hermione took all my sense away..."

"You're very corny, do you know that?"

"Of course... I'm a Malfoy and we're having a sweet moment. I have to be corny."

Hermione giggled. "You make it sound like one of those steamy Muggle romance books...."

Draco cocked his eyebrow.

"Well, the mean, evil, bastard and the nice, sweet angel hate each other, and then they evil bastard is nice.... And they live happily ever after..."

Draco was still looking at her strangely.

"What?"

"Steamy?"

~*~*~**~*~*~

Shaylee giggled insanely as Fred snuck towards the refreshment table, as Snape's back was turned, telling off Lee Jordan for attempting to hide firecrackers in any female's hair that had passed the DJ.

Lee was making all the worst comments he could make, causing Snape to get mad multiple times over, giving Fred enough time to pour his bottle into the punch, and get back to the table.

As Lee went back to choosing a song, Severus turned to Shaylee exasperated. "If this doesn't end soon, I'm going to shoot myself..."

Shaylee pretended to be astonished. "Die from a Muggle weapon?! You wouldn't!!" She paused, then grinned. "Let me do it for you!!"

Severus just rolled his eyes. "Let's go get some punch, and hope to God that the idea of spiking it hasn't entered anyone's heads...."

Shaylee shrugged nonchalantly. "I doubt anyone would exactly get over your watchful eye to spike the punch..."

Severus seemed assured by this and poured them both some.

Shaylee took it with a hidden grin and immediately downed it, while Severus took a small sip. Shaylee had to commend the twins. It didn't taste the slightest bit different, and that thought, rather than the alcohol, made her extremely hyper. "Weeeeell, Sevvy, it's almost my turn, isn't it?! And you can't punish anyone, so HAAAAA!!! Maybe I'll even try out my wiiiiiiiiiiiiings....." With that, she fluttered a few inches off of the ground, then came back down.

Severus looked at her skeptically, then bluntly took her glass and set both of the drinks down. "We won't be having any more of that, now, will we?"

"Aw..... Come on, Sevvy-kins!!! Everyone just needs to lighten up!!" She hiccuped. "Ooops... Drank that too fast..."

She took a big exumberent breath and held it in for ten seconds, then let it go. "Hehe... That's better!!"

She took a step forward and stumbled to the side. "Holy shit... How strong was that stuff...?"

Severus groaned. "Why don't we go on the dance floor, and you can settle down from there? At least you won't be drawing any public attention..."

Shaylee grinned. "Well, Sevvy, that's a brilliant idea!! Let's go!" She tried to tug on his arm, but she stumbled again, and Severus ended up having to pull her back to steady her....

"Irish blood my ass..." Severus muttered, and Shaylee tried to swat his face, but got the edge of his ear instead.

As they reached the dancefloor, the song started to fade out. Severus groaned and told Shaylee, "If it's a fast song, then you are going up to sober down with Dumbledore."

"Please, pleeeeaaase, PLEASE be a slow song!" Shaylee said quit loudly. Evidently, Lee Jordan had heard her, and recognized her voice, because a slow song started playing.

Over where Draco and Hermione were sitting, Hermione looked up with a gasp. "I love this song!" she exclaimed. Draco grinned at her. "Well, let's dance, then!" he said, helping her up.

And I'd give up forever to touch you

All their conversation stopped as Draco pulled Hermione into his arms and they started dancing.

'Cause I know that you feel me somehow
You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be

Draco grinned down at Hermione with an eyebrow raised, and she smiled back, leaning her head on his shoulder.

And I don't want to go home right now

And all I can taste is this moment

Severus was trying to steady Shaylee and seem like they were dancing. It wasn't an easy feat.

And all I can breathe is your life

Shaylee shivered and Severus mentally kicked himself. The girl was wearing a short dress with flimsy material, and he hadn't even thought that she might get cold. He brought his cape around front to cover Shaylee, shrouding her from sight.

'Cause sooner or later it's over
I just don't want to miss you tonight

And I don't want the world to see me

Hermione and Draco looked at each other and in answer to Hermione's questioning glance, Draco leaned down and gently kissed her cheek.

'Cause I don't think that they'd understand

When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

Hermione looked up at him with a bleary looking smile, then hid her face in his chest.

And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming
Or the moment of truth in your lies

When Hermione heard these words, she looked up at Draco smiling lovingly, and he felt so extremely satisfied1 that he had told her that a feeling of infinite happiness filled him.

When everything feels like the movies
Yeah you bleed just to know you're alive

For the first time since they had been on the dance floor, Shaylee looked up at Severus. "Hm.... This feels good..." The arms that were laying loosely on his shoulders wound themselves tighter and met behind his neck.

And I don't want the world to see me

Severus sighed as he looked down at her. They were exact opposites, yet he felt himself falling for her more each day. He didn't know how it was possible, he didn't think that the students would either.

'Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

As Shaylee grinned in a softer, more sentimental version of her regular grin, Severus thought that she probably knew exactly what was happening, that plotting little witch.

The music went into a long instrumental part, and Hermione and Draco held each other tightly, as Shaylee looked up at Severus with her head tilted slightly and a curious look in her eyes.

And I don't want the world to see me
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand

Draco reached down and squeezed Hermione's hand gently. "If you feel more comfortable, we could leave right before the Unmasking."

When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

Hermione looked at him thankfully and nodded.

And I don't want the world to see me
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand

Shaylee let her head rest on Severus, and breathed deeply as she nuzzled his neck, causing the breath to catch in Severus' throat.

When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

I just want you to know who I am

Hermione stood up on her toes to deliver a quick kiss to Draco's mouth.

I just want you to know who I am
I just want you to know who I am

As the music faded, Shaylee and Severus moved apart slightly, and looked into each other's eyes.

They were getting closer, then Shaylee said, "I think I can stable myself now... I need to go ask the twins what they put in there..."

Severus sighed as she let go of his hand and walked towards the table where the Gryffindors were hanging out.

~*~*~**~*~*~

Don't worry and don't kill me!!! She has a reason that I might just explain after the ball!!! She likes him, really she DOES!!! Oh, and I have decided to respond all the reviewers who reviewed the ball right after I end the ball, because I don't have time to write responses and get this up, because I have school tomorrow. Thanks!