A few days had passed and while Hermione and Draco were relatively fine, they could both feel a cloud above their heads. Hermione had sent out her letter to her Aunt Marie the very next day after she found out about her situation, and two days later she had received a reply. All her aunt said was that she was looking forward to seeing Hermione after her graduation when she planned to visit her in Madrid, especially with the handsome blonde that her mother had kept telling her about. Draco even smirked at that.
It was now Thursday afternoon and Hermione was in the Heads' common room, preparing for their meeting with the prefects. Draco was finishing up another meeting with the Slytherin Quidditch Team and she was expecting him shortly. She heard a knock on the door and opened it to find her friends, Ginny Weasley and Parvati Patil. They were both prefects so Hermione immediately invited them in.
As they settled down on the sofas, Ginny took a sip from a glass of pumpkin juice. Parvati took a pastry. Hermione always requested a few refreshments from the kitchen for their meetings.
"How have you been, Hermione?" Ginny asked.
"I've mostly been pretty busy with all the planning for the ball, which I'm very thankful I will finally be able to include all of you in. I could really use your help with it." She smiled. Parvati and Ginny giggled.
"I know! Ginny and I were talking about it after we received the notice for today's meeting. We're so excited to plan this with you!" Parvati said. She leaned back on the sofa and looked around the room. "Blimey, I know we're graduating in weeks, but I still feel so jealous that you have your own dorms. With Malfoy, of all people!"
Hermione raised an eyebrow at that. "What do you mean with him of all people?"
"Oh, please, Hermione! I am so surprised you two haven't jumped on each other already! He's the hottest man in our year, without a doubt!" Parvati exclaimed.
"I agree!"
"Ginny, really? But what about Harry?"
"Oh, pish! Of course, Harry's the hottest of them all. Just look at those eyes behind his adorable glasses, his toned body from all that quidditch, and saving the world yada-yada…" Ginny said dreamily as Hermione and Parvati laughed. "He is most definitely the fittest of the fit for me. But Malfoy… crikey. There's really no question as to why he's called the Slytherin Sex God."
Before Hermione could stop herself, "He's called what?!"
Both Ginny and Parvati looked at her with their mouths open. "You don't know?!" asked Parvati. "He has slept with almost every girl in Slytherin and a few girls from other houses."
"Even Gryffindor?" Hermione asked. She was beginning to wish the other prefects and Draco were going to be late to the meeting. She definitely needed to hear more about her secret boyfriend's rumored shenanigans.
Parvati closed her mouth and thought about it. "I think so. I'm not sure who, but with the way he's going, I don't think anyone can stop that man." She and Ginny giggled again.
"But who's told you all this?"
Ginny took a bite of a cauldron cake. "It's mostly the Slytherin girls who get to have all the fun, so they're the ones telling the stories."
This time Hermione actually had to stop herself from rolling her eyes at that. Of course, the Slytherin girls would come up with rumors about their Slytherin Prince and she knew he had a past. A past that started long ago with Pansy Parkinson… and then some.
But Hermione also knew her boyfriend was hot. She could even detail every single part of him that made him sexy. She felt a blush at the thought of it.
Thankfully, before the two gossiping girls could notice her blush, Draco stepped in with the other prefects, one of them his best friend, Blaise Zabini. They all gathered around the coffee table, Draco sitting directly opposite to her. They all greeted each other a good afternoon and Hermione let them all enjoy the refreshments before they began their meeting.
After half an hour, the Heads and Prefects had already reported their rounds, taken note of their schedules for the week, and they were just about to start planning the upcoming graduation ball. "So as all of you know, the Headmistress has given us all the task of planning a Graduation Ball. While this may be a Graduation Ball, McGonagall would like the younger years to be included as well, all the way down to the first years. It would also be an event to celebrate the end of the school year."
"That's so nice." Hannah Abbott commented.
"The Head Girl and I have come up with curfews for each year. While we invite you to enjoy the night, we also ask for your cooperation in making sure that students in each year be back in their common rooms at their specific curfews: First to third year students must be back in their common rooms by 9 in the evening, Fourth and fifth years, by half past 10 in the evening, sixth years, same–"
"What?!" Ginny exclaimed.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "He's kidding."
Draco laughed. "Calm down, Red. Sixth and seven years until 1 in the morning…"
"No later." Hermione concluded. "Here are your assignments: The Head Boy and I have created a list of bands and performers that Professor McGonagall has approved of. Zabini, I would like for you and Parvati to decide on which one we should go with and make sure you invite them in time for the event." She turned to Terry Boot. "Terry, work closely with Ginny in decorating the Great Hall."
"Do we have a theme?" Parvati asked.
"It will be a formal event, just like we did with the Yule Ball, but of course, it will be the summer so no one's expecting winter decorations. So ladies in gowns or robes, men in dress robes or muggle black ties." Hermione answered. "Decorations, I expect the two of you to come up with your own plan. We will all be helping Terry and Ginny in decorating the Great Hall the morning of the dance. The Headmistress has emphasized that she would like to see all of us there. Hagrid and Professor Flitwick will also be with us to help." She looked at Hannah. "Hannah, you and Lottie will work closely with the elves in the kitchen. Create a menu for a light dinner and a refreshments table."
"Is spiked punch going to be a part of the menu?" Blaise smirked. He and Draco high-fived. Draco's smirk stayed as he saw his secret girlfriend narrow her eyes at him.
"Ease up, Granger. We're only joking," he snickered.
"Sure you are. I'm watching you two."
The group continued with their meeting for another half hour. By the end, everyone was given tasks they had to complete. "Thank you everyone for attending today's meeting. We'll be expecting reports on your progress in the coming days." Hermione said as they all stood up from the floor. "Is everyone going to dinner now? We can all walk together if you'd like."
Someone cleared their throat. It was Terry Boot. "I'm sorry, I had a question."
"What is it, Boot?" Draco asked.
"Um… Since… Since us prefects and Heads will be working on the day and night of the dance, are we still allowed to bring dates?"
Draco and Hermione looked at each other. Then Hermione beamed at Terry's question and answered brightly, "Of course, we are! As long as you remember your posts, you're free to enjoy the rest of the event. It's for everyone, Terry."
Terry smiled sheepishly and mumbled a 'thanks'. They all started to file out of the Heads' Dorms, everyone conversing with one another about the exciting event. Hermione was just cleaning up the refreshments with a flick of her wand while Draco tried to hang back discreetly so he could wait for her. The school had never given them notice whenever they arrived at the Great Hall together, considering they shared dorms. As long as they weren't affectionate, no one would be the wiser.
"Draco, you coming?" Blaise called for him.
"I'll be right there. Go ahead." He said. Hermione turned around and was surprised when he closed the door.
"What's the matter?" she asked.
He walked towards her and kissed her passionately. "You looked extra sexy bossing people around this afternoon," Draco smirked at her. "Also, Granger, looks like this is working in our favor–given our positions in school, no one's going to question if we attend as Head Boy and Girl."
If he had said this months prior, she would have been giddy at the thought of attending the Graduation Ball with her secret boyfriend. But given the events in the past few days, she whispered, "But I don't want to attend my last school dance with the Head Boy, Draco."
Draco's face dropped. He could almost swear something had hit his chest. Hard. But before he could say anything, Hermione continued. "I want to attend the ball with my boyfriend. Not the Head Boy. Just you."
He felt himself sag in relief. But he still wasn't ready. "Granger, I–"
"I want to dance with you and not let it be a 'Head Boy and Girl Dance', I want you to hold me close, I want you to whisper in my ear, kiss me, for all I care. I don't want to have to pretend that night." Hermione put her hand on his cheek and reached up to give him a peck on the lips. "All I want is to be us." He took her hand and kissed her palm. Hermione gave a sad smile. He then opened the door and let her go first.
As they walked to the Great Hall together, they didn't speak. Both silent with their own thoughts. Draco was still deciding if he was ready, while Hermione was starting to feel that all he needed was a little push to get him to cave in. She was starting to come up with a plan. Right before they entered the Great Hall, she turned to Draco.
"Don't wait for me tonight after rounds. I need to talk to Ginny and will probably stay at the Gryffindor Tower for the night."
Draco raised his eyebrow, concerned that their quick conversation might have upset her.
Hermione realized what he could be thinking. She wanted to kiss him to appease him, but there were students around them on their way to the Great Hall. In fact, she could already see Ron and Harry approaching them. "Don't worry about it, nothing's the matter. I just want to discuss clothing options for the ball, that's all."
Draco nodded, a weird feeling was creeping upon him that she wasn't being entirely honest with him. Hermione smiled at the people behind him and before he could say anything, Harry had spoken up. "Hi, Hermione." He looked at Draco and nodded his head in greeting. "Malfoy." Ron didn't bother. His cool demeanor toward the blonde, evident in his actions, or lack thereof.
"Potter." Draco greeted back. He looked at Ron but without another word, he went ahead into the hall and went straight to the seat beside Blaise on the Slytherin table. While he sat down, he could see the Golden Trio taking empty seats on the Gryffindor table. Without even discussing it, Draco and Hermione all throughout the year had made it a point to sit in places that would make them see each other without anyone noticing.
During dinner, the Headmistress cleared her throat to get the attention of the hall. "Good evening. As all of you know, we are well into approaching the end of the school year." Everyone cheered. As the cheers died down, McGonagall continued with her announcement. "I would like to express my feelings of pride. I understand that it must not have been a quick or easy decision for most of us to return this year, but I am very proud of what has become of all of you as you have found solace in what most of you consider to be your home." She paused to see most, if not all, the students smiling back at her.
"As a gift for all of you and to begin a tradition for years to come, together with Head Boy Malfoy, Head Girl Granger, and the perfects, I would like to invite all of you, first years all the way to the seventh, to Hogwarts' first Graduation Ball."
The whole school roared in happiness.
—
As Hermione entered the Gryffindor common room, she felt a strong sense of nostalgia. She had only been in here a few times throughout the year since she already had her own common room. Knowing that this may be one of the last times she would be in here, she tried to take it all in. Draco had approached her after dinner and told her he would take over her rounds for her and not to worry about it. She could tell it meant a lot to him as a way of making it up to her, so she thanked him and joined Harry and Ron on their way.
The three of them took their usual spot on the couch in front of the fire, with Hermione in the middle and her boys on both her sides. Some of the other Gryffindors were surprised to see her there and all greeted the Head Girl. Ginny stepped out to do her own rounds and left her with her two best friends.
The three of them spent the time chatting as Harry and Ron teased her with some of the new items from his brothers' shop, Weasley Wizards Wheezes. The boys also revealed sweets that they had gotten from Hogsmeade the weekend before.
"Ron! Surely you're old enough to know how to charm a chocolate frog so you can eat it!" Hermione and Harry were laughing so hard at Ron, who was trying to catch the treat.
He finally caught it, bit off the head, and settled back on the seat on Hermione's left. "Nasty buggers, I tell you. But what's the fun in eating them when you don't get the thrill of catching them?"
Hermione wiped a tear from all her laughing. "Don't ever change, Ronald Weasley."
"Hear hear!" Harry cheered. As the laughing died down, he looked at Hermione. "We've missed you, 'Mione."
"Oh, I've missed you both," Hermione said as she placed her hands on one of each boys' cheeks. "I've just been so busy with Heads' duties, NEWTs…" and Draco. "By the way, have you both finished your assignments?"
Ron rolled his eyes. "It's the weekend, Hermione."
She raised her eyebrow at him. "It's only Thursday, Ronald. Did you actually finish your Astronomy essay for tomorrow?"
The red-haired boy, who was actually looking more like a man now, took a box of Every Flavored Beans and popped one into his mouth, "Yes, mum. I actually did this afternoon." Then he suddenly spits out the bean into his mouth. "Blegh! Earwax!"
"Ew, Ron!" Hermione said as she leaned closer to Harry, who laughed. When Ron finally took a tissue from a box nearby and cleaned his hands, Hermione continued. "Well, I'm glad that you've actually been doing your work. Looks like dating Lavender has its advantages after all."
He smiled sheepishly and shrugged. "She's actually left me no choice, really. She never hangs out with me unless I've actually finished my work."
Hermione smiled. Much to everyone else's dismay, Hermione and Ron really would have never worked out. Even without Draco secretly in the picture, Hermione knew she saw Ron more as a brother than a lover. She shuddered at the thought of kissing him like she did Draco.
"You okay, 'Mione?" Harry asked. She was still leaning into him and his strong arm was around her.
She nodded. "Yeah, just felt a quick chill." She sat back on her part of the couch. "I'm glad that Lavender has made that influence on you, Ron."
He nodded. "She changed after the war. She still likes to gossip with the girls, but she's also taken a rather subdued approach to herself. Said over the summer that she had some epiphany when she realized she could lose me in the war." Hermione smiled in understanding. Before there could be a somber mood in the air, she turned her head towards Harry.
"And what about you, Great One? How are you and Ginny doing?" Hermione asked.
Ron rolled his eyes playfully and Hermione caught it and hit him lightly on the arm. She wasn't sure if his big muscles even felt it.
"We're doing fine. We're taking it day by day, according to her." Harry smiled. "I really want this to work. I can… I think I can actually picture a family with her."
Hermione suddenly hugged the boys closer to her by their necks. "Oh, my boys are growing up! I'm so happy you two are in great relationships!" She exclaimed before letting them go.
Harry was rubbing his neck as he laughed softly. "What about you, 'Mione?"
"Yeah, anyone we need to beat up?" Ron asked.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "No, Ronald. No beating up anyone, please. That's totally barbaric, don't you think?"
"Everything's totally barbaric to you, Hermione," Ron said teasingly.
She laughed. "I suppose." She wondered. "I… I'm…"
"What is it, 'Mione?" Harry asked. She looked kind of… scared. "You can tell us anything."
She looked at her two friends and let out a breath. "Nothing. It's nothing. No, I'm not really with anyone."
She decided she wouldn't give them a clue yet. She knew the two boys would be totally protective of her if she even gave any inclination that she was dating anyone. Knowing how sneaky they can get, she would bet on anything that they would do just everything to find out on their own.
At that moment, Dean Thomas entered the common room and was surprised to see Hermione there. "Hermione! You're here!" She smiled at him and waved hello. "Um, actually… could I speak with you?"
Harry and Ron looked at each other and smiled. Hermione answered, "Sure, Dean. Boys, I'll be right back."
Without her looking, Harry hit Ron on the arm. "Actually, 'Mione, Ron, and I were going to bed. You two can have the couch."
"Yeah, yeah, right. Have the couch." Ron said as he and Harry stood up. He fake yawned. "We're super tired!"
Hermione frowned. "But I thought we were going to hangout more? Ginny won't be back for another half hour, at least."
Harry took her shoulders. "Tell you what, this coming Hogsmeade weekend, we'll spend the entire day together, just like old times," he cleared his throat, "Well, not like old times like when I had to be in an invisibility cloak and sneaked into Madam Rosmerta's to find out ghastly incorrect news," Hermione and Ron laughed. "I mean like we'll just spend the day together, just the three of us."
She smiled. She actually had plans to be with Draco in their secret area of Hogsmeade that day, but she would make him understand. These boys were her lifeline long before he entered the picture and she was going to make time for them.
"We'll even let you treat us to Honeydukes!" Ron said as she messed up her hair. She swatted his hand away.
"Fine. I'll see you tomorrow at breakfast. And yes, Harry, I would love to spend the day with both of you on Saturday." She kissed the two boys on their cheeks and despite everything they have been through, she could see them blush as they ran up to the boys' rooms.
Finally, she looked at Dean and told him to take a seat. "What can I help you with, Dean? How have you been?" she asked.
He seemed a little nervous. As Hermione observed this, she also observed how good-looking he's turned out to be, "Well, um, seems pretty irrelevant now… but I was actually going to ask you if you wanted to spend the day with me at Hogsmeade this weekend..."
"Oh, no! I'm sorry, Dean. I just haven't been spending time with the boys lately." But then it dawned on Hermione what he was really asking and she could feel her cheeks heating up. "Did you… were you going to ask me out?"
Dean nodded slowly. "Yes, um… I just… I wanted to ask you to the ball, actually. But I felt like you and I haven't spent enough time alone to get to know each other. So I wanted to hang out with you first so it wouldn't come as a total shock when I asked you…"
Hermione smiled. "That's actually really sweet and I appreciate it a lot." She was having a hard time navigating the conversation considering how secretive she and Draco were about their relationship. "But I'm really sorry, Dean. I'm…"
"You're not interested, I get it," Dean said as he suddenly stood up from the couch, clearly embarrassed.
She shot up as well. "No, no. It's not that. Please, listen." She looked up at the boys' staircase and made sure no one else was in the common room before softly telling him, "I'm… sort of involved with someone else."
"Oh. But I asked Ron and Harry about it, actually," he said slowly. "They said–"
"Harry and Ron don't know about it yet," she bit her lip before she continued, "They had actually just asked me right now and I had to lie about it." She looked up at the tall dark man in front of her. "I'm really sorry, Dean. I would have loved to attend the ball with you, but just…" She couldn't really find the words to say.
He nodded. "I understand, Hermione. I just hope this bloke knows how lucky he is to be going to the ball with the most beautiful girl in school."
"That's incredibly sweet of you to say." Hermione blushed even more. "Thank you so much."
Dean smiled. "It's true." He let out a sigh. "Well, I'll see you later, Hermione." They hugged briefly. He started making his way to the staircase. "If you change your mind, you know where to find me."
She smiled at his retreating frame, but remembered something, "Oh, Dean!"
He looked back at her and before she could say anything, he said, "Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me." He winked and ran back up the stairs.
Hremione sat back down on the sofa. This really is getting harder to hide by the minute… It just seems so pointless to do so now. She heard the portrait door open and saw Ginny coming in towards her.
"Hey, 'Mione. Everyone up already?" she asked as she sat beside Hermione.
She nodded. "Well, at least I hope so. But yeah, the boys went up."
"So what did you want to talk about?" asked Ginny.
"Well, I was wondering… would you help me with a makeover?" Hermione fidgeted and bit her lip, waiting for Ginny's reply.
But Ginny was shocked and then took a pause, thinking. "Hermione, I'll be completely honest with you–before the war, I would have so gladly offered you a makeover." Ginny laughed a little then took Hermione's hand in hers. "But really, the past few months, we've all watched you almost suddenly bloom into this beautiful woman. Everyone's noticed it. You're seriously one of the most beautiful girls in school right now."
Hermione widened her eyes. Before she noticed, she had said the words out loud, "Dean just said the same thing."
"Dean? He told you that?" Ginny asked.
The Head Girl suddenly felt sheepish. "Oh, sorry, Gin he–"
Ginny waved her hand in dismissal. "Oh, forget about me and Dean. Don't worry about it. Harry and I are totally happy together," she looked down dreamily. Then looked up at Hermione. "Tell me what happened! I want to hear all about it!"
Hermione smiled and told Ginny that Dean had asked her out, leaving out the reason as to why she had turned him down. But even without saying it, Ginny had an inkling.
"There's someone else, isn't there?" she asked. "Is this the one you want to do a makeover for? Because if he doesn't see how beautiful you are now…"
"No, no! It's nothing like that. I just…" Hermione bit her lip again. How on Earth did she think this was going to be easy? Ginny could feel how uncomfortable Hermione was starting to feel.
"Okay, you know what, I don't need the details. I'm very much looking forward to finding out what this is all about, but I'll wait 'til you're ready." Ginny noticed Hermione sag in relief. "There's not much to change, Hermione. But maybe a few things might do the trick. C'mon, let's go up to my room!"
The two girls ran up the girls' staircase and spent the rest of the night playing with knick-knacks to help "improve" Hermione's look.
