Disclaimer: Do Not Own Harry Potter. In this chapter I used the lyrics from the song "The Weakness in Me" By Joan Armatrading. It is on the soundtrack '10 Things I hate about You'
A/N: Please Review. Hope you like this chapter.
Chapter 7
Hermione walked into the great hall looking absolutely amazing. Her long brown hair was in loose ringlets that fell down her back. She hardly had any make up on because there was no point she was naturally pretty. The dress she picked was a beautiful emerald green. It was a satin full length gown the straps were jeweled diamonds that scooped into a small v. The back of the dress showed her back. There was a diamond brooch where the material was at the small of her back. To put it simply she looked like a goddess.
The prefects could hardly take there eyes off of her. She walked over to them and begun to explain how the night would go down. After this Ron walked over to Hermione and stood by her side she was his date after all.
Hermione was excited the doors opened to reveal the fifth through seventh years. As she saw them come in and look around she got nervous. 'Oh what if they don't like it and what if tonight ends up being boring.' She couldn't help but think this and with those thoughts running through her head she started to bite her lip. Draco took noticed to this and walked over to her. Touching the small of her back he leaned in whispered in her ear.
"Hey don't be nervous everyone is going to love." After this was said he didn't leave and Ron was getting angry. He shouldn't be getting so affectionate with my girlfriend he kept thinking bitterly. Everyone finally made there way through the doors and Hermione and Draco went up to the stage.
"Good Evening, I hope you all enjoy tonights festivities. There are menus at your table order whenever your ready. All you have to do is tap your table three times and your server will take your orders but before we all eat Draco and I thought we should open the ball with a dance just to get things started. So pick a lovely lady, gentlemen and ladies lead your man to the floor." Hermione looked at Draco, "I believe the first dance is yours." He took her hand and walked her to the middle of the floor. Hermione saw Ron at the table by himself and noticed his anger. Which she figured was directed at her. The song began:
I'm not the sort of person who falls in and quickly out of love
But to you I gave my affection right from the start.
I have a lover who loves me, how could I break such a heart
yet, still you get my attention.
Slowly moving around the floor everyone's eyes moved to them. They seemed so content on being in each other's arms. The smile on Hermione's face was all you needed to see to tell she was happy. This is where she wanted to be.
Why do you come here when you know I've got troubles enough
Why do you call me when you know I can't answer the phone.
Make me lie and I don't want to. And make me stay when I should
not. Are you so strong or is all the weakness in me why do you come
here and pretend to be just passing by. But I mean to see you and I
mean to hold you, tightly.
Looking into Draco's eyes she saw what she was looking for. She knew there was something hidden behind those gray orbs. He usually had it hidden but now on the dance floor he left himself, unguarded.
Feeling guilty, worried, waking from tormented sleep. This old love
has me bound but the new love cuts deep. If I chose now, I'll lose out.
One of you has to fail; and I need you, I need you.
The song slowly came to an end and neither made a move to leave. They gazed into each others eyes for what seemed like an eternity before she said two words, I'm sorry. She then turned around to go find Ron. Leaving Draco standing there thinking about everything. Mainly, if he was willing to give up everything for her.
Hermione looked every where for Ron, as of now she went outside towards 'their tree' figuring thats where he would be. And as usual she was right. Approaching warily she was very hesitant to say anything because he was angry, no there were really no words as to how angry he actually was. Hermione took a deep breath and opened her mouth but Ron spook first.
"Are you sleeping with him?" He asked. She just looked at him how could he ask such a question. She was absolutely stunned at how thick he was. Why she was dating him was up in the air. She was just going to walk away but that would look suspicious so she answered.
"No I am not and what would make you ask such a dumb question?"
"Well for the past few weeks you spend more time in you heads dorm doing 'heads business' what ever that is. Then when you finally spend time with me you are all distant. And then when we went to Hogsmeade I caught you staring at him. I didn't say anything but I know thats what you were doing. I am not as thick as I look Hermione. I do notice things."
"Look, Malfoy and I did have heads business look around we had to get this ball ready so that it wouldn't be such a mess. Dumbledore didn't even tell us about it until the end of September. And I don't stare at him. And I certainly don't recall seeing him at Hogsmeade."
"Oh get off it Hermione, ball or not things are changing between us. He is only adding to them I can tell you like him. If it wasn't for the whole school watching you would probably be in there snogging him like there was no tomorrow."
"You know what Ron think what you want. But just so you remember, I am at this dance with you not him nor any other guy you might want to pair me up with. But if you are going to ruin this whole evening will you do it now." He just looked at her and then walked past her. She needed to forget about him and enjoy her night. Which would be hard to do since he just had to be a git on an important night. She just stood out there staring at the ripples in the lake. This is usually where she went to think about things and if she was already here why not. She started to sit down, she changed her mind when she heard a branch break and turned around.
"Who, who's there?" She asked out.
"Granger, it's just me. I was out walking because the hall got stuffy, then I heard your little argument with Weasley and decided to hide. Didn't want to intrude." Blaise Zabini said. He then came out from behind the bush and sat down next to the spot where, Hermione was standing. "Are you going to sit or stand there all night?"
"Oh, right, um. What did you hear Zabini?" Hermione questioned as she sat down to the Italian slytherin.
"It depends did you want me to hear anything?"
"Not really, I was hoping it would be a private conversation between me and Ron."
"Then I didn't hear anything. So why aren't you inside dancing like there was no tomorrow." He silently looked over her. In all his years at Hogwarts he never really talked to her. He knew who she was, but who didn't he was just surprised she knew who he was. Not that many people do. He usually stood off in the shadows and watched people. No one knew him,except for Draco. But that's the way he liked it.
"I don't really like dancing. Plus, there is no one in there I want to dance with right now." She watched him. She had to admit to herself she didn't know much about him. He was in her ancient runes class and he sometimes answered questions to. She remembered Harry telling her something about his mom. Trying to remember what it was. "Why aren't you in there?" Oh, that's right his mom was some beautiful women who had all these husbands that just mysteriously died.
"Same reason, the only reason I came is because Milicent said if I didn't come she would tell Pansy that I fancy her," he looked sick for a moment then continued, "and that would be hell if she thought that." Hermione laughed. She always saw how Pansy hung all over Draco and slightly fell sorry for him.
"Well from what I noticed if Pansy wants something she doesn't need to be told anything. She will go for it."
"Why do you think I am out here. I'm hiding."
Hermione burst out laughing she couldn't help. It was hilarious she could just see Pansy now. Oh crap she actually could. "Um. Zabini don't want to ruin our fun but here comes Pansy now." Before she could look at him he was already running for the woods. Chuckling she stood up brushed off her dress and decided to head in.
"Mud blood, have you seen Blaise Zabini?" Pansy asked.
"No and even if I had I wouldn't tell you." Hermione stalked off towards the great hall. Walking into the room, Harry came to her with a worried expression. She just shook her head and walked towards the refreshment table, wishing for the night to end.
"Thanks, Granger you saved me back there." She gave a slight nod. After that the night went by in a blur. Just before 11:30 Hermione went out to the gardens. Walking out she noticed the pale blond hair boy sitting at the bench.
"Hey." Hermione whispered. There wasn't a reason to it just seemed like the thing to do.
"Hermione, why aren't you in there with, Ron?" he asked looking at her. She looked even more beautiful in the moonlight he noticed.
"Because I am out here with you. Is that a problem?"
"I guess not. But I am going inside so bye."
"Wait. . ."
"Why?"
"I meant it you know what I said earlier. I really am"
"I don't find any reason you need to apologize. It should be me, so here it goes. I, I'm sorry Hermione I really am, will you forgive me?" He never did get an answer because before he could say anything else her lips were pressed to his.
