Evaluate This

Chapter 11

Kiss 'n Tell


Since the day of Pansy's Proposal, the castle had been on pins and needles. There had been many side long glances made towards Malfoy, many friendly smiles toward Hermione, but towards Pansy—most people just tried to avoid her as much as possible. The reason for this was mainly because Pansy could only do one thing at a time and right now, her 'thing of the moment' was a constant tracking of one Draco Malfoy.

Finally, finally, the long week ended and it was the day of the ball. While this was a rather cheerful thing to look forward to for most students—Head Girl Hermione Granger was currently having a nervous breakdown.

Combine that with lack of sleep and eating—you have a ready-made workaholic.

More so than she had ever been before. Her fellow students were very grateful.

"Next!" Draco cried. Harry walked up to him and Draco sneered at the disheveled boy. "Give it up Potter, you can never be good looking."

Harry rolled his eyes; jamming the number he'd been given into Malfoy's chest. "Shove off, Ferret."

Inside the room, Harry took in a very tired looking Hermione. "Hey, you okay?"

Hermione managed a sweet grin. "Do you know how many students there are?"

Harry nodded.

"Well." Hermione yawned. "You're only number." She looked at her clipboard. "Number 121."

"Ouch."

Shaking her head, Hermione maneuvered Harry to face a mirror. "You have no idea. Now, tell me." She referred to the clipboard again. "Your favorite color, favorite time era, and…" Hermione tried to suppress a large yawn. "Favorite character in a book."

Harry bit his lip. "Man, that means I have to think, doesn't it."

Hermione snorted. "That it does."

"Okay, well, um…"

"Spit it out, it will only be between you and me."

Harry grinned. "Well, I think my favorite color is green." He paused. "Err…the other questions…don't tell anyone, please."

Hermione tried not to roll her eyes. "Cross my heart, hope to die. Now spill."

"I'm sure you saw Pirates of the Caribbean…"

Hermione grinned the first grin all day. "Oh my Merlin…don't tell me."

Harry shrugged, a large smile on his face. "I think that Captain Jack has got style."

Down on her knees with laughter, Hermione gulped air. "Whatever you say mate. Okay…so, favorite character?"

"Um…" Harry grinned sheepishly. "Zane Cobriana."

Hermione's mouth dropped open. "Harry, you're my lost half. I can't believe you read those, they're great, aren't they?"

"Yeah. I had to hide in a bookstore one time…I just sort of stumbled across them."

"Okay. Let me work my magic."

An incantation later, a very sexy man stood before her.

"My god." Harry whispered.

Hermione grinned. This was her favorite part. "No more time for you. Out." She shoved a dazed Harry out the back door.

"Malfoy!" she cried and could vaguely hear him yelling 'next'. This day would never end.


"So we're finally done?" Draco reclined on the sofa, happy to be sitting. He and Granger had risen before the sun and it was now an hour before the ball was to start. He'd called 'next' until his voice was horse, he'd missed breakfast and lunch, he had given every student the name of their partner for the dance, and initiated the spell to make sure that they went with said person.

He was exhausted.

Pissed.

Planning.

Exhausted.

"Almost." Hermione said through her billionth yawn. She'd been shocked awake when Pansy had come through as number 230…and walked away in an outfit that would make Madonna blush.

But that had been a long time ago, seeing as the last number Hermione had taken was 957. She was worn out.

"What the hell do we still have to do?" Draco closed his eyes, hoping to god he wouldn't have to do anything.

"Our own costumes, plus, we have to be the first down there, make sure everything is…you know. Ready."

Draco rolled off the sofa. "Yep. Make me beautiful."

"Not a chance."

"Now that's just mean."

Hermione shrugged. "What's it matter? You're going with Pansy."

Draco smirked. "Not anymore I'm not."

"WHAT?"

"Well, you see, someone gave the Ms. Danna the impression that I really love Pansy and that I was just acting up so that we would get to go to the dance together. So, being Ms. Danna, she couldn't have that and seeing how much you and I hate each other…" Draco trailed off.

"That's manipulative."

"Uh huh."

"Low."

"Uh huh."

"Mean."

"Your point being?"

"Oh just forget it." Hermione turned around. "You planned this, didn't you?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about Granger."

"You're evil."

"So I've been told."

Hermione growled. What was his problem? "I wish you'd broken your neck when you jumped."

Taking the moment to move close—an opening he'd been waiting for. "So below you, Granger. Wishing that on someone."

Hermione was determined not to back away. If he wanted a fight, she'd at least present a target. "Someone?" She smirked. "You'd have to be someone before I would care. And you, Malfoy…" Hermione tossed her hair. "Are nobody."

"Then why are you shaking?"

"I am not." Hermione protested as Malfoy ran a finger up her arm. She shivered. "You're evil."

"Well, that's not stating the obvious." He settled his hand on the back of her neck, underneath her hair. Taking a step closer he wrapped his other arm around her waist.

Hermione bit her lip. "What do you want?"

Draco paused. He wanted a lot of things, but at the moment he wanted just one thing. Something he'd been wanting since the day Hermione had challenged him.

Hermione shivered as Malfoy pushed into the small of her back, making her move closer.

"This." He said, lowering his lips to hers.


Harry nodded nervously at Miriam. "So, uh, you ready to go down?"

"I look like a bloated grape."

Harry grinned. "A very cute bloated grape."

Miriam rolled her eyes. "You don't look so bad yourself Potter."

"You guys ready?" Ron entered, a very disgruntled Charlotte behind him. Whereas Miriam looked like a purple people eater, Charlotte's costume was old styled, moth eaten, and ragged.

"I'll never be ready." Miriam sulked.

Ron patted her on the shoulder. "It could have been worse."

Miriam sighed. "Yeah, I could have come out looking like you."

"Ouch."

"Not apologizing."

"Didn't expect you to."

Harry coughed loudly. "Lets just get this over with. Hermione is stuck with Malfoy. Nothing can be worse than that."

"Agreed." Ron shook his head. "Poor Hermione." He pulled Miriam to her feet. "Let's go!"

"Yippee." Charlotte muttered under her breath. Red haired freak was not her type of guy.


"Malfoy would you hurry up!"

Draco shrugged on his overcoat. "Calm down and relax."

Hermione paced beside the door. "I can't relax, can't be calm, and I can't be around you." She shot scathingly.

Draco rolled his eyes. "Admit it, you liked it."

"Never."

Shaking his head, Draco took her head. "Never say never…" he taunted.

"Shut up."

"My pleasure." Draco opened the door and pulled her out.

"Wait." Hermione paused as the portrait closed behind them. "Don't tell anyone."

Draco smirked. "I can't make any promises."

"Draco."

Score. Draco thought with triumph. "Okay, I won't tell, if…"

Hermione tapped her foot nervously. "If what?"

"Kiss me."

"What?"

Draco held her hand tighter, lacing his fingers with hers. "If you don't want me to tell, you've got to kiss me."

I know there's something in the wake of your smile. Hermione's breath caught and she was not so sure she liked the feeling that started at the back of her throat, trailed to her stomach before settling into her knees.
I get a notion from the look in your eyes,
Why did Malfoy have to have such gorgeous eyes?
You've built a love but that love falls apart.
Why? Why? Why? Hermione took a deep breath. Was it really worth it? He was going to tell someone eventually…
Your little piece of heaven turns too dark.
Listen to your heart
when he's calling for you.
After all, he was a Malfoy.
Listen to your heart
there's nothing else you can do.
But she liked the way it felt, his warm body so close to hers. She wouldn't deny to herself—to the world yes—but to herself…she loved his kisses.
I don't know where you're going
and I don't know why,
but listen to your heart
Why did everything have to be so complicated? Hermione watched him he was waiting. He wasn't going to make this easy on her. Did he want her to kiss him as much as she wanted him to kiss her?
Before you tell him goodbye.
Sometimes you wonder if this fight is worthwhile.
The precious moments are all lost in the tide,
they're swept away and nothing is what is seems,
the feeling of belonging to your dreams.
Slowly, every so slowly, she lifted herself up, unlacing their fingers so that she could place them on his shoulders. She would need them there. For either she'd faint of humiliation, or shame, or just at her own daring, Hermione didn't know, but he felt steady. So strong, so steady. He'd be able to hold her if she fell.
And there are voices
that want to be heard.
Slowly closing her eyes…
So much to mention
but you can't find the words.
She brushed her lips across his
The scent of magic,
the beauty that's been
when love was wilder than the wind.
And waited for the world to fall.