Before starting I wanted to say thank you to the persons that are following this story!

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. Just this fanfiction.

HERMIONE

Hermione allowed herself to cry when the plane took off and Massachusetts was nothing but a blur behind her feet. Tears came out effortlessly as she remembered the frustrated date of the night before. She had waited for Draco while making impossible excuses for him to be late, but in the end she gave up and entered the exhibition alone, although she did not enjoy the show at all.

Meeting him at the house entrance was very hard.

Especially since he seemed to really regret missing the date, and in a way Hermione believed him, but she couldn't help but think that even fate seemed not to want them together. She had made vain expectations, created foolish illusions, and ended up with a broken heart in the end.

At some point on the trip she fell asleep and woke up when they had already landed. Hermione grabbed her handbag and hurried out of the plane. The airport was packed with people due to the holidays, so it took her over an hour to collect her luggage. Before leaving the airport Hermione went to the restroom and tried to compose her expression as best as she could so it wouldn't show that she had cried.

Hermione took a taxi and watched the familiar scenes of her hometown. It didn't take her long to get home. The modest two-story house she had known forever. Her heart filled with ease as she opened the door.

Her brothers ran to her and hugged her legs tightly as soon as they spotted her. Hermione filled them with kisses and had to hold back a few tears. She had really missed Charlotte and Oliver so much. Her mother almost faint, seeing her standing in the middle of the kitchen. The brunette hadn't told them that she would be coming home for Christmas. When his father arrived at night Hermione, for the first time in a long time, managed to push Draco out of her mind.

A few days in Chicago was exactly what Hermione needed.

She was so calm being in her home, were everything was less complicated. She spent the holidays playing with her siblings and helping Jean, her mother. On Christmas morning she gave them their presents and her heart felt full of joy at the sight of Charlotte and Oliver excitedly discovering their new toys.

And even though she didn't want to think about it, Hermione couldn't help but wonder if Draco had already opened the gift she had given him, if he had liked it or if he had thrown it somewhere.

It was difficult to have to say goodbye to her family and go back to all the college drama. The morning she was leaving, her father offered to drive her to the airport. Hermione was finishing packing when her mother entered her room.

"Need any help?" She asked sitting up on the bed.

The brunette answered closing the suitcase and smiling, "Not really mom, everything is ready"

"Hermione honey," she turned to see her mother, "Your father and I want you to have this," Jean handed her an envelope.

Hermione looked at her confused after seeing the content, "It's the money I was sending you guys"

"It's your money. You've earned it".

"And I want to share it with you and dad," Hermione handed her the envelope but her mother didn't take it.

Jean took her hand and sat her next to her on the bed, "Honey I know we had hard times in the past and that, in a way, you felt responsible for this family, but you don't have to," Hermione was ready to replied but her mother silenced her, "Things have improved a lot here in Chicago. Your father has a better job and I am working too. This is your money"

"But mom..."

"No buts. It's yours, keep it"

Jean took Hermione's purse and put the envelope in it. She didn't complain because she knew it wouldn't change anything, "What am I supposed to do with this money?" She sighed.

Her mom gently caressed her face, "Buy new books. Or better, new clothes. One can never have enough outfits to use in college and I'm sure that sorority of yours throws parties, so you can use this extra money to buy something nice. Perhaps a few dresses or tops".

"Dresses? Not exactly my style".

"Regardless, you would look gorgeous wearing a dress. You're so beautiful Hermione," her mother smiled sweetly at her, "And you're young. You can use this time to reinvent yourself or try new experiences".

Her father suddenly entered the bedroom and the conversation was over. Hermione felt relieved, "I'll think about it mom," she said and then gave Jean a tight hug.

After saying goodbye to her siblings, she got in her father's family van. On the way to the airport they talked about her childhood memories and once again the brunette was sad to leave Chicago.

Once her father left, Hermione checked the flight information and realized that her flight was delayed. To pass the time she walked through the shops and remembered her mother's words. In the end, influenced by her conversation with Jean, she bought different clothes that she liked.

Carrying several bags she boarded the plane three hours later and was back at the sorority house by nightfall. Ginny was nowhere to be found and Hermione guessed she would arrive in the morning. She rearranged her things in the room and fell fast asleep until the next morning.

"Wake up sleepyhead," Ginny shook her without care, "Wake up". Hermione rolled onto the bed out of reach. Ginny laughed but didn't insist, "You'll be late for class".

"What? Wait what time is it?" Hermione asked alarmed, sitting up on the bed and rubbing her eyes

Ginny sat near her and smiled at Hermione, "Barely six o'clock, calm down"

Hermione looked at her suspiciously, "You're in a great mood this morning"

"I'm still on the Christmas spirit," she shrugged and smiled at her again, "Shall we have breakfast together?"

"Sure," she replied jumping off the bed, "But I'll take a shower first"

Ginny sat on her bed and tur on the TV, smiling at her for the third time that morning, "Very well"–

Hermione went upstairs to take a shower and preferred not to think about the reasons behind Ginny's good mood.

When she returned to the room they had breakfast together and she thought about asking Ginny to help her with her makeup, as the brunette had decided that, having new clothes, she could also start grooming a bit more; but in the end she gave up the idea of asking her friend.

She decided to wear a blue blouse and also straighten her bushy hair. Ginny had already gone to her yoga class, and to be honest Hermione felt much more comfortable doing those things alone. After applying gloss she looked at her reflection in the mirror. She looked good. Different, yes, but not unrecognizable. Feeling suddenly brave she grabbed her purse and left the house.

Harry was waiting for her outside their classroom, coffee cup in hand, "Wow! You look amazing," he whistled and forced her to do a little spin before hugging her, "Merry belated Christmas, Mione"

"Merry belated Christmas for you too," she said smiling after hitting him gently, "Did you have a good time?"

"Better than expected," Hermione detected a strange nuance in his voice, but didn't give it much thought, "And I can see that you had also a good time. You've come back different from Chicago"

She bite her lips and asked, "A good different or a bad one?"

"A really good different, Mione," he smiled and added, "Although I prefer your bushy hair".

Hermione smiled gratefully at him, put her arm around his and then they walked into the classroom together.

Harry didn't stop joking during the two hours of class and she had to hold back a laugh several times. In the end they decided to go get something to eat. They were chatting animatedly about the speech Harry would give as part of his oratory group, when Draco approached them.

None of the three said anything at first and Draco just nodded at Harry and looked intently at Hermione, who felt her heart beating violently, "Hermione, can we talk for a moment please?" The blonde asked in a softer tone than she had ever heard him use.

"Can it wait? I have another class soon," Hermione didn't want to talk to him, not yet. She was aware that she could do nothing to delay the meeting that would take place sooner or later, she was still her tutor. But it had to be now? She had hoped to be better prepared for meeting Draco.

"It's really important," he replied.

Harry was aware of how uncomfortable Hermione was, "Surely you can wait until this afternoon Draco."

Draco glared at him, "And surely you could stay out of this Potter."

Hermione intervened, "I'll talk to you," she said to Draco and stood up, grabbing her purse.

"Should I wait for you?" Harry asked.

"I can walk her to her class," it was Draco who replied.

"It's ok Harry, I'll see you later," she smiled nervously at the green-eyed boy before turning to Draco, "Where should we talk?"

He guided her to one of the largest parks on campus. All the benches were taken, so they sat on the edge of the fountain that adorned the park.

Draco was still looking intently at her, so after a while Hermione asked, "What do you want to talk about Draco?"

"You look beautiful Hermione", he suddenly said. Hermione felt the blush flood her face and looked away.

"Draco…", he interrupted her.

"I read the books you gave me"

She couldn't help but smile, "Really? I wasn't sure if you'd like them".

"I loved them," Draco leaned closer to her, "Thanks for the gift Hermione". Draco moved his hand and Hermione thought he would take hers, but he didn't, "I also liked the necklace and the charm." He showed her the necklace that he was wearing under his jacket, and Hermione was moved to see him wearing her gift, "Thanks", he repeated fervently.

"She… I mean the seller told me that the charms was magical", the brunette said trying to fill the silence, "I'm not sure it's true, to be honest".

"I guess I'm about to find out"

Draco leaned a little closer to her and now their hands were touching. Hermione felt nervous at the touch, but she didn't have time to think about anything else because suddenly Draco was hugging her and she froze.

"Don't push me away Hermione" he said.

Hearing his voice so close to her ear made her shudder. Draco pulled her closer to him, and hid his face in Hermione's hair. She slowly brought her hands up to place them on Draco's back and she could feel him smiling against her hair.

It seemed to Hermione that the hug lasted an eternity. The seconds passed as she felt Draco's warm and strong body around her.

"I should probably go," she said, embarrassed, when he finally ended the hug.

"No, wait, please Hermione," he grabbed her hand, "I still haven't told you the things I wanted to say"

"Draco you don't… you don't have to say anything, really. I'm just happy you liked your presents"

"My presents? No, Hermione this wasn't about the presents. That's not…"

"I really have to go now," she withdrew her hand, "I'll see you around"

And she practically ran away from him.

As Hermione ran, she decided that she would skip this class, because not even in a thousand years would she be able to focused in her Literature lecture after what just happened.

She thought about calling Harry, but his friend would probably realize that something had happened and Hermione didn't want to tell her about Draco. She hadn't even confessed to him that she had feelings for the blonde.

In the end she ran to her favorite campus bookstore and, as always, let the books calm her down.

Time flew by and suddenly it was time for her tutoring lesson. However she couldn't face Draco after what had happened, so she returned to the sorority, being extra careful not to run into him, and locked herself in her room.

She spent the rest of the afternoon and part of the night thinking about the hug and trying to understand Draco's words. Part of her mind wanted to believe that he was starting to feel something for her, but Hermione was decided to shot down that kind of thoughts. After all Draco was just probably trying to be nice to her because of the presents she gave him.

The next morning she had a meeting with her sisters because the Greek Week would be celebrated at the end of the month and they had to begin with the preparations for there were only three weeks left.

With the excuse of being busy being part of the organizing committee, Hermione didn't attend the tutoring lesson with Draco all week. She knew it wasn't right but she needed time for herself.

"It is also the first week after the holidays. They're probably still reviewing the previous topics" she told herself to feel better.

On Saturday she was to meet with one of Draco's fraternity pledges, so that he would accompany her to buy things for the Ball they would have as part of the celebrations. She had arranged to meet him outside the house at seven o'clock and Hermione was still sleepy when a luxurious black car pulled up next to her. She got in the car and ran into the last face she wanted to see, "Draco!" She exclaimed, waking up suddenly, "You're not supposed to be here".

He replied narrowing his grey eyes, "You've been avoiding me all week, and I had to give my pledge another task so that I could finally talk to you Granger"

"But we had so much to do!"

"So I'll help you"

"Draco I don't think this is a good idea", she replied but he ignored her and started the car.

"Why is it that every time you talk about us, you say it's not a good idea?" He asked sharply.

Hermione didn't know how to reply, for the first time in her life. So she fastened the belt and placed her head against the car window.

"Did you have breakfast?" Draco asked. Hermione shook her head, so he sighed and pulled the car in front of a restaurant, "Let's go"

Not giving her time to protest, he grabbed her hand and led her to one of the furthest tables, "This isn't necessary Draco", Hermione replied after he let her go

"It is", he smirked, "Besides I prefer to talk to you here rather than the car"

The waitress interrupted them to ask for their order. Glad to delay the conversation, Hermione took her time reading the entire menu before ordering pancakes and a cup of coffee. Draco ordered a sandwich and then the woman left.

"As I was saying earlier," she started speaking really fast, "We have many things to do. We need to hire a DJ, talked to the catering manager…"

Draco interrupted her, "That can wait. I need to ask you something Hermione"

Draco laid his grey eyes on hers. The girl notices he didn't seemed seem as confident as usual, "Something like what?" She asked softly.

"A chance," he took her hand, caressing her, "I want you to give me a chance Hermione".

The waitress brought them their order, left the dishes on the table and when she saw that none of them paid much attention to her, she left.

"A chance? A chance for what?"

"To be with you", he looked at her intently.

"To be with me? Draco… please stop joking!"

"What makes you think I'm joking?"

She could notice his anger in his voice, but this time she was also angry, "Maybe the fact that boys like you never noticed girls like me," she replied with a sharp voice, for the first time Hermione didn't feel nervous in front of him. He wanted to interrupt her but she wouldn't let him, "You're Draco Malfoy, most popular guy on campus, handsome, funny, you can have any girl you want. Why would you like to be with me?"

"Why wouldn't I? You're sweet, smart and beautiful," Hermione chuckled but there was no fun in it.

He continued, "If you give me a chance, I want to be completely honest with you Hermione. I need to do this the right way, so there's something I should tell you," he sighed, "I first approached you trying to make you fall for me so I could upset Ginevra and Potter. Well specially Potter, because you two are pretty close and I can see that you mean something to him; and I've had this stupid rivalry with him ever since we're children. So I asked you to be my tutor expecting that the things between us would physically… escalate. But then I began to really know you and I realized that you're different. You're not like all those girls that I used to go around. And the more I talked to you the more I thought about you, and I began to understand that I like you. I like that I can be myself with you, that I don't have to pretend be cool or distant – he shook his head - I know that I am a jerk, that I don't have a good history with girls, and that it is likely that don't feel anything for me. I actually think you fancy Potter but I need this chance. I need to know that I can still have hope with you"

Hermione definitely wasn't expecting a confession like this. She didn't know what to think, much less what to feel.

Her heart was pounding with everything she had just heard. Draco having feelings for her? Her mind, however kept repeating the fact that he had approached her like a game, so she couldn't help but wonder if this was all a performance. Another act for Hermione to fall into his charm. There were too many things to consider so she blurted out the first thing that occurred to her, "I don't fancy Harry. He's nothing more than a good friend to me".

"I'm glad to hear that", he gave her a sad smile.

"How can I be sure this isn't another of your game?" Hermione bit her lip, "How do I know you're not saying this just for me to fall for you?"

Draco's expression darkened. He seemed hurt by her questions, but she needed to be sure, "I am been honest Hermione, but I'm aware that you'll have doubts, that's why I asked for you to give me a chance," he explained, "I want to prove you that I want to be with you. Just you."

"I…"

"I understand if you say no," he said, slowly withdrawing his hand from Hermione's.

She acted on impulse and took Draco's hand again, "I think we should start eating because we have too many thing to do," replied with a shy smile.

"Is this a yes?" He asked widening his grey eyes and Hermione nodded, blush rising to her face.

Draco smirked and suddenly he stood up, making her follow his lead before hugged her very tightly. Hermione was grateful that the restaurant was nearly empty, as she responded the hug with equal force, losing herself in Draco's intoxicating vanilla and peppermint scent.

DRACO

Hermione had given him a chance and he felt like the luckiest boy in the country.

They had left the restaurant after having breakfast in silence while each shot sideways glances at the other. It hadn't been uncomfortable at all, but rather fun to see the blush on Hermione's cheeks.

Even now that they were in the car heading to the decorator's office they'd hired for the Ball, Draco was still eyeing her as she went over some papers given to her by the organizing committee for the Greek Week. She looked so sweet and charming that he wanted to stop the car and hold her in his arms again, but he knew he had to be patient and go at his own pace, as he was aware that Hermione still did not feel completely comfortable having him around.

After spending several hours with the decorator choosing and ordering everything necessary for the Ball, they went on to interview one of the potential DJs and then supervise the catering services they had previously hired. As Hermione had told him they had a lot to do and didn't even have time to eat anything but a sandwich on the way to another of their scheduled appointments.

Draco was quite bored hearing the woman talk about the dinner menus but he didn't complaint once. When they finally got in the car to go back to campus, it was close to ten at night.

"I'm exhausted," Hermione said leaning back in the seat and closing her eyes.

Draco reached out his right hand to take Hermione's and she responded the caress, "Thanks for helping me Draco", she said turning to him and smiling

"It was a pleasure Hermione," he replied, squeezing her hand a little more and smiling as well.

He didn't let go of her hand until they were in front of the house. They got out of the car and Draco walked her up the porch, "I better come in," she said trying to hold back a yawn.

"Good night Hermione"

"See you later Draco"

She smiled and advanced towards the door, but then she turned and standing on tiptoe, placed a short kiss on Draco's cheek. Hermione then entered the house, leaving Draco with a big smile on his face.

Spending the days with Hermione had become almost routinely for Draco.

In addition to the tutoring classes in which he took the opportunity to get to know her a little more, they also used to see each other between classes and sometimes they went to eat or have a coffee.

Draco was helping Hermione with everything related to Greek Week. The work was getting harder, but he was glad to be able to spend time with the girl. Also, thanks to Hermione's occupations as part of the organizing committee, she no longer had much free time to go out with Potter, and that put the blond in a great mood.

When the Greek Week finally started, he couldn't be as much time with Hermione as before, for he had to resume his obligations within the fraternity.

Draco was one of the best competitors in sports but he had decided only to enter the running competitions, yet he still had to supervise the other games; so he only managed to see Hermione in the distance while she cheered on her sisters or coordinated some details of the competitions.

Still, didn't go unnoticed on him - or several of his brothers - how attractive Hermione looked in the little pink sports uniform they were wearing in her sorority. Draco tried not to conceive those ideas about her but he couldn't help it, especially when her uniform was tighter than the others considering the curvy body she had.

On Thursday night after Draco had won his running competition, he waited for Hermione in the benches of the stadium. She was supervising that all the balls were put away after the football final, and once she finished talking with the coach, she approached him and sat very animated by his side, "I'm finally free," she announced with a big smile, "This was my last day on charge. The closing ceremony of tomorrow morning is on Angelina, and so is the Ball, so I'm free now".

"Yeah but still you did pretty much all the work," he wrapped his arms around her and Hermione instinctively cuddled into his chest. Draco couldn't help but smile

"We all did our share", she replied.

He smirked, "So… if you're free tomorrow that means I can have you all by myself?"

"I guess so. But you won today so you must receive the first place medal on tomorrows ceremony, you can't miss that," Hermione raised her head to see him.

"I'd rather spend the day with you,"

She blushed but didn't look away, "How about we go to eat, just the two of us, after you receive your medal?" He looked at her narrowing his eyes, "It is a reward to your effort Draco," she added.

"As you wish," he accepted at the end and she smiled, pleased.

Hermione snuggled into his arms again and they stayed like that for several minutes until the coach told them that they should leave the stadium as the facilities would be closed. Draco walked her home and, after the usual goodbye kiss the girl always gave him, he walked away.

Next morning he found Hermione on the venue where the closing ceremony for the Greek Week would take place. He sat next to his brothers enduring the two hours boring ceremony. Although Draco seemed cool and indifferent when he received the medal, was internally happy when Hermione smiled brightly at him, cheering for his accomplish. He smiled briefly at her and approached her once the ceremony was over.

"So… where are we going?" She asked as they walked holding hands.

"I thought of letting you choose," he replied.

"I want Mexican," she said instantly animated and he laughed at her enthusiasm, "I know a good place"

"Come on then," he smiled at her and they walked to his car.

The place was almost on the limits of the city. It was small, quite cozy and the food was great. The keepers seemed to know Hermione, and Draco was glad when she told him that she had never come here other than with Ginny.

After paying the bill they left the restaurant and then Hermione got a call from Angelina. Apparently there was a mistake with the girls' order for tomorrow's dinner menu. Angelina sounded quite upset and Hermione moved away a bit to attend the call and try to calm her down, as Draco went to get them drinks from a vending machine.

Draco searched for Hermione, and noticed a man who was observing her obscenely and undressing her with his eyes. She wasn't been aware of this man presence because she was still speaking on the phone. Draco strode towards her but the man did the same and arrived before him. The guy took Hermione by the arm; she turned around in bewilderment and backed away in fear.

Draco ran towards the brunette, stepped in front of her covering her with his body, "What the fuck do you think you're doing?" He hissed to the guy, glaring at him

"Draco let's go, please", Hermione was holding his arm.

The guy just laughed, raising his hands in a clear sign that he wasn't looking for trouble. Hermione asked Draco to leave again. He obeyed her and they walked a few steps until he heard the guy make a rather vulgar comment about Hermione's body.

Without thinking Draco turned and hit the guy on the face. The man stood up and hit him back in the nose. He felt the blood running down his mouth but he didn't care. The anger took over him and he started hitting the guy until two waiters of the Mexican restaurant restrained them. The man left without a word, so Hermione thanked the waiters for intervening. Then she approached Draco and glared at him, arms folded against her chest, "Are you ok?" She asked. He nodded, "I'll go search something to fix you up. You better wait in the car."

Draco did as she asked and Hermione returned a few minutes later with a first-aid kit that the owner of the Mexican restaurant had given her, as well as a bag of ice, "Are you mad?" He asked while she was cleaning his nose.

She looked at him and sighed, "Although I appreciate that you defended me, you shouldn't have fought with that man. You could have been seriously injured or worse. It wasn't necessary Draco"

"Oh it was very necessary," he replied and then winced when she applied balsam to his nose, which was no longer bleeding.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Thank you anyway," she sighed again, and leaned over him to better see the cut on his eyebrow, "It's not very deep, I don't think it needs stitches."

Draco had Hermione's face very close to his, and still invaded by the adrenaline of the fight he brought his lips to hers. It was just a light touch to test his reaction. She certainly hadn't expected that but at least she didn't pull away.

Encouraged by this Draco brought their lips together in short kisses twice more, until Hermione closed her eyes and joined the kiss. Their lips danced together at last.

Draco caught Hermione's full lips and placed his hands around her waist, caressing her back. She brought her hands to Draco's strong arms, and a strange heat flooded his chest as she gently bit his lower lip. When a few seconds later they parted, Draco whispered close to their lips, "Be my girlfriend Hermione." He could feel that she shuddered upon hearing his request, so Draco held her closer in his arms, "Be my girlfriend," he asked once again, "I want to be with you Hermione," he gave her a gently kiss, "I want to have a relationship with you, I want to tell everyone else that you're mine," she shuddered again, "Say something, please"

Hermione pulled away from Draco a bit and stared at him intently for several seconds. In the end, when he began to feel nervous and worried, she closed the distance and kissed him. Draco smiled against her lips and the kiss lasted for a long time.

"I better return this to the restaurant," she said pointing the first-aid kit, "Wait here."

"Hurry up girlfriend", he asked managing to make her blush but still making her smile.

Hermione returned just a few minutes later, "So where do we go now?" He asked, holding her hand.

"Maybe we should go back to campus Draco, I think it would be better for you to rest a bit," she looked at him worriedly.

"And spoil our first date? No way," he replied vehemently.

Hermione chuckled and he questioned her with his eyes, "It's just that… it's strange, all this about you and me going out together and dating," she answered.

"You'll get used to it, my pretty girl," he winked at her and started the car, "I know where we can go".

Draco took her to the movies.

They watched a romantic comedy together. And since Draco had never been to the movies with a girl, much less a girlfriend, he doubly enjoyed the experience. The movie was quite funny and they both laughed a lot, plus it felt great to have Hermione leaning on his shoulder and gently stroking his hands.

After leaving the cinema they walked through the city, until they reached a park where street musicians were performing. They listened to them for a long time, and then sat on one of the benches sipping hot chocolate for it was a cold night.

"Draco, can I ask you something?" Hermione looked at him, clearly feeling insecure and biting her lip

"Of course, girlfriend," he smiled, reassuringly

She smiled before speaking, "It's just that we've been hanging out this past month and… you haven't mentioned anything about tomorrow. I mean…"

"You're talking about the Ball?" He looked at her, confused, "Obviously I wanted to go with you but I thought you said that dancing wasn't your thing"

She shook her head, "I'm not talking about the Ball, I'm talking about the fact that your birthday is tomorrow"

"Oh… that," Draco looked away and lost himself in thought.

"Draco just forget I mentioned it," Hermione said quickly, noticing his discomfort.

"No, no, it's okay," he squeezed her hand a little tighter, "I don't really like to think about my birthday. I don't have good memories of my birthday".

"We don't need to talk about this," she said softly.

"I know, but I want to. I want you to know more about me," he took his time before speaking, "Growing up I didn't spent much time with my parents, they're both very busy persons. They were generally traveling so I never had birthday parties, just a dinner with them if they were on the city. Of course they always sent presents but I… I wanted more," Hermione nodded, understanding what he meant, "So when I turned ten I manage to convinced them to throw a birthday party. I invited my school friends, my cousins, my parents were there," he smiled, nostalgically, "I have to admit I had a really good time at first. But then, we were just about to cut the cake so I went to search for my father because I couldn't find him. Mother escorted me to look for him, and then we found him in his office kissing another woman," Hermione gasped but he continued, "The worst part was my mother's reaction, you know? I could notice that she wasn't angry, she wasn't throwing anything at him either. She just looked at him as if she already knew about it, as if it was normal for her to find her husband with another woman. Mother took me out of the office and back to the party but I just… I couldn't take away the image of my father with another woman, nor could I stop wondering why Mother wasn't doing anything about it".

When Draco finished telling his story, neither of them said anything. Hermione just managed to hug him very tightly and he hid his face in her apple-smelling hair. Even though that memory still haunted him sometimes, he felt better after telling Hermione about it. In her arms that memory could no longer hurt him. In her arms he felt much stronger

"Are you ok?" She asked and he nodded.

"It was a long time ago Hermione, besides I feel better since you're here by my side." Hermione smiled and caressed Draco's face with her hand, "Anyway I think I'm ready to create new birthday memories," he added, "If you accept to go with me to tomorrows Ball, that is"

"I'll gladly go with you," she answered with a huge smile and leaning to kiss him.

When the cold intensified, they returned to the car and drove back to campus. Draco accompanied Hermione to the sorority and they said goodbye on the front porch. After several short kisses and the promise to pick her up at eight for the Ball, he left.

Draco got up much later than usual the next morning. He spent the rest of the day working-out and trying not to leave his bedroom, so he wouldn't have to bump into his brothers and tolerate the usual birthday greetings.

When the sun fell, he took a shower and put on a black suit, knotted his tie and combed his hair until it looked formal without being too serious at the same time.

When he finished grooming, he went to his nightstand and took the black velvet box containing his initials. He was aware that it was probably too soon to give Hermione his initials -and he hoped she didn't freak out because of how quickly things had developed between them - but it was something very significant within the Greek system and Draco wanted everyone to know that he was serious about Hermione.

Draco put the box in his suit pocket and left the house.

He strode across the street, rang the bell, and an instant later Angelina, the sorority's president, and also his friend opened the door for him. They greeted each other but she had to leave to continue getting ready for her date, she promised to let Hermione know that he had arrived.

Draco waited in the living room and felt the glances and giggles from the other girls. He smirked, dismissing it as he waited for Hermione.

"Draco," Hermione's soft voice came from the top of the stairs.

He looked up and was amazed to see her.

Hermione was wearing a flowy pink chiffon dress. The dress was strapless and had silver rhinestones. The ruffled fabric clung to her waist and then fell gently to her feet. Draco had been staring at her and Hermione was very flushed. Realizing this, he smiled at her and stood at the foot of the stairs to take her hand and help her on the last steps.

When she was closer, he could see that she was wearing more makeup than usual, highlighting her chocolate eyes. Her hair was tied in pony tail that left her waves dropped to the waist. Hermione smiled at him nervously, squeezing his hand and he gave her a short kiss trying not to ruin her makeup.

Draco helped her put on her coat and they left the house. Once they were in the safety of his car, Hermione hugged him very tightly and whispered "Happy Birthday" so close to his ear that he grimaced at the touch of her lips. "I have something for you," she said, "But I'll have to give it to you tomorrow because it didn't fit here," she pointed to her little pink bag.

"You didn't have to give me anything Hermione," he said, although inwardly he felt happy that she had prepared something for him.

"I wanted to," she smiled at him, "Should we go now?"

"Just wait a minute," he cleared his throat, "I also have something to give you. And I hope you don't freak out. I really hope you don't". He was starting to get very nervous.

"What is it?" She opened her eyes curiously.

"This," he took the box out of his pocket and handed it to her.

Hermione opened it and her expression changed from curiosity to surprise. She slightly opened her mouth and looked at Draco, "Your initials," she whispered.

"I know it may be soon but..."

"Are you sure about this Draco?" She looked at him expectantly, looking very fragile.

"Completely", he answered with a sure voice, "Do you accept it?" He asked when she didn't say.

"Of course I do," she smiled, "Of course I do"

Hermione threw herself into his arms again and Draco welcomed her as they shared a sweet kiss. After separating, he placed the necklace with his initials on her and they left for the Ball.

The place was looking much better than previous years and everything seemed to be going perfectly. They occupied a central table and soon the room was filling up. After the initial part of the formal ceremony, the DJ enlivened the atmosphere with trendy music and several couples came out to dance.

Draco took Hermione's hand and she agreed although she looked quite nervous. He guided her calmly until she started relaxing and moving with confidence.

Draco also noticed that she was beginning to attract more attention, especially now that they were dating. And it seemed like his brothers were also noticing how beautiful and sexy she looked tonight.

At that precise moment the DJ switched to a ballad and Draco took the opportunity to hold her in his arms as she smiled at him and rested her head on his chest.

The melody was ending when Hermione suddenly startled. Draco pulled away to ask her what had happened, because Hermione looked quite shocked and a bit nervous. Then he followed her gaze and ran into the most unexpected couple he could have encountered: Harry and Ginny, who had just walked in holding hands and laughing very friendly with each other.

A/N: So... this was a long chapter. It took me more that I thought to get it ready.
What do you think? Questions about Ginny and Harry? We'll know about them in the next chap. Please leave a review!