"And Draco Malfoy caught the Snitch! Slytherin wins 200-120! Gryffindor put up a good match, but those brooms Slytherin has…"

Hermione ignored the rest of what the announcer was saying as she clapped her hands in excitement for her husband and watched as he was passed around the Slytherin team. Looking at him now, nobody would be able to tell that just hours before he had been in incredible pain, or pleasure for that matter, she ended the thought smugly.

"Hermione Granger, what are you doing? We lost, why are you clapping?"

Immediately, Hermione quit clapping and sat down with a huff of annoyance at Lavender Brown's reminder that she wasn't supposed to show support for the other team.

"I was just trying to show good sportsmanship."

"Yes, well- what in the world is Malfoy doing looking up here?" Lavender interrupted herself mid-sentence catching Hermione's attention again.

Hermione craned her neck to see that Draco was in fact looking up at the Gryffindor stands, with the Snitch still in his hand. When he finally caught her eye, he held the snitch up and winked causing a blush to spread across her face, knowing he was reminding her of earlier that morning.

Their eye contact was broken when a giggling Lavender bumped into Hermione's shoulder.

"Did you see that, Hermione? He winked at me! I just knew he couldn't stay away for long! Oh, but you don't have a clue what I'm talking about do you?" she gushed.

Anger and contempt flooded through Hermione quicker than she could control it and it was with great shock to both Lavender and herself what came out of her mouth next.

"I know quite a bit more than you think I do and I suggest, unless you want your ickle-Ronnykins to find out, that you shut your mouth. Did it ever occur to you that not every member of the male sex in this school is interested in you? At least, not for anything more than a cheap shag."

The look on Lavender's face was worth the repercussions she might face later if Lavender mentioned her outburst to Ron, but it was completely worth it. Really, what was she thinking sitting beside her? It was bad enough that Draco had slept with her, but the fact Lavender was still obviously entranced with him and thought him to be with her triggered something in Hermione she hadn't experienced before.

Hermione left the stands and started to make her way to Harry before Lavender could get over the shock of what she had just said and say something back. She really would rather avoid Harry since she knew how he was when Gryffindor lost, especially to Slytherin, but she didn't want to hear him complain about her not showing up on top of it all.

She had almost made it down to the Quidditch field, when she felt a hand wrap itself around her arm and snatch her into a dark alcove. She whipped her wand out and was about to send a curse at whoever grabbed her when a familiar scent caused her to stop.

"Draco?"

"Yes, now will you please put your wand away. I know the curses you are capable of and I would rather not be on the receiving end of one."

Hermione blushed and put her wand back in her robes quietly. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she was able to make out his sweaty appearance in front of her and wondered how he was able to still look so devilishly handsome drenched in sweat. Suddenly, she remembered that even though they were in a dark alcove, for all purposes, they were out in the open.

"Draco Malfoy, have you lost your mind! Anyone could find us here and then what would we tell people?"

"Hermione Malfoy, have you gone that daft? You can just say I was threatening you for information on Potter. Nobody will doubt you."

Hermione blushed at the use of her married name and the fact that he had thought something through better than she had. Ron and Harry really should quit underestimating him. Money certainly wasn't the only thing Draco had going for him.

"Now," Draco interrupted her thoughts, wrapping his arms around her waist, "didn't I tell you this morning would help me win?" The look on his face was of complete smugness and a month ago it would have made her want to slap it right off, but now that she knew him she found herself smiling at his playfulness.

"Oh, do hush. That stunt you pulled on the field could have gotten people suspicious about us if Lavender wasn't so full of herself."

"I do believe I saw a certain Gryffindor clapping when Slytherin won, but what in the name of Merlin are you talking about Lavender for?"

"Just her being stupid, it's nothing. Anyway, congrats on winning." She flashed a smile up at him, not wanting to discuss the situation with Lavender at the moment and ruin the good mood he was in.

"Careful or I might think you actually wanted your house to lose."

"I did not, I'm just happy my dear husband won."

Hermione was shocked at her own playful teasing towards Draco. She had never been good at what one would call flirting, but with him it almost came natural. The next realization hit her harder than any curse could. Was she flirting with Draco Malfoy?

Sure, they were soul mates and they had been getting alone really well. Not to mention the sex this past day, but was she actually finding herself happy with the situation instead of just accepting? She looked at him again, examining how his normally cool gray eyes had a slight sparkle to them and wondered if he was actually beginning to be happy with the situation as well.

He certainly didn't have to be treating her the way he did. They honestly only had to fulfill their obligation to consummate every now and then. Being wrapped up in each other's arms was definitely not a requirement for being soul mates.

He must have grown impatient with her silence as she pondered over where they stood, because next thing she knew, he was tilting her chin back and kissing her hungrily. With a slight moan, she kissed him back and wrapped her arms around her neck.

It seemed with reluctance that he broke away from her.

"We need to leave before we are caught. Go, I'll follow right behind you."

It was with shocking reluctance that Hermione pulled herself out of his arms and stepped out of the dark alcove back into the light of the grounds. People were milling around, talking in groups, oblivious to what was going on around them. Gryffindors were angry and Slytherins were smug.

A flash of sadness went through her at the obvious division between the two houses. If only they would give each other a chance. Would it ever happen though? Draco and her had certainly seemed to put aside their differences almost immediately when forced to interact. That was almost unheard of when dealing with a pureblood high-society wizard and a muggle-born witch.

She watched as Draco walked out of the alcove and suddenly had the strong urge to run to him. To show everyone that just because they were from traditionally rival houses didn't mean they couldn't get along. If only it was that simple, her gaze towards him saddened as she watched his hair blow in the breeze.

"Miss Granger, just who I was looking for! Ah, and Mr. Malfoy is here as well, I see. Well, better to just tell you at once. Mr. Malfoy, come over here for a second."

Hermione watched as the peaceful, happy expression on his face was replaced with his trademark scowl. She knew it was an act, at least where she was concerned, McGonagall he probably truly disliked, but it still hurt nonetheless.

When Draco finally made his way to them, he made sure to keep his distance from her and her sadness sunk even deeper.

"I have been sent to inform you two that as top of your class, you are to attend the Halloween Ball together, as a couple, and lead the opening dance." McGonagall quickly cast an apologetic glance at Hermione before looking at Draco as if expecting a rant to start from him.

He dared a quick glance at Hermione, almost seeming to apologize before he allowed the scowl to deepen.

"I have to go the ball with her? You can't honestly believe that I'd go along with this."

McGonagall's back stiffened along with Hermione's, but for entirely different reasons. One was from anger, the other from hurt. This was the first time Draco had had to truly act hateful towards her since they were married. She knew it would happen eventually and had prepared herself, but she didn't think they would be getting along as well as they were. That fact, made his words come as quite a shock.

"Yes, Mr. Malfoy, you will. It is the Headmaster's orders that you two appear together, so I suggest that you be the gentleman that is expected of you and treat Miss Granger with respect."

Draco looked livid for a moment and then his eyes shone with realization. Hermione watched as his face smoothed and he pulled his shoulders back, standing tall, yet relaxed with a coy smile on his features. Hermione still couldn't figure out how he managed to look intimidating, while also looking completely at ease, but it was a look that worked for him so she wouldn't complain.

"Oh, I'll be respectful, just not of Miss Granger." He spared a quick glance at her before walking off.

McGonagall looked ready to deduct points, but stopped when she noticed Hermione grinning. The emphasis on her maiden name was not lost on her and she was shocked at his outright boldness.

"Miss Granger, whatever do you find so amusing?"

Hermione quickly sobered up, doing her best to keep a straight face. If McGonagall suspected anything, she would question Dumbledore immediately. Hermione would rather not have to explain why her Head of House had anything to suspect to begin with to the Headmaster.

"He didn't say his father would hear about it this time."

At that thought she really did laugh and walked away leaving a very confused professor.

After walking around the Quidditch Pitch a bit, she finally caught sight of Harry and Ron. Bracing herself for the onslaught of insults to Draco and Slytherin in general she walked up to them.

"Good game, guys!" She plastered a big grin on her face hoping to brighten their moods, but no such luck.

"Good game? Did you see the bloody brooms they were flying on?" Ron's face was red from anger and Hermione had to suppress an eye roll.

"If we had of had equal brooms, I would have gotten that snitch before him. I'm sick of Malfoy and his cheating using his father's money." Harry clenched his broom causing his knuckles to turn white.

Hermione made herself bite her tongue. It would do no good to point out that while the broom gave him an advantage, Draco had still seen the snitch before Harry. It also wouldn't do to say true skill doesn't come from a broom, but the player either. They would just turn it around and say she was saying Slytherin was better than them.

"Come on you guys, it wasn't that bad. Let's go back to the common room and we can sit around the fire and warm up. It's getting quite chilly."

"Maybe for you, you didn't have to chase after Malfoy and the rest of Slytherin on a broom. I swear, if that git buys his way into one more thing I'll go to Gringotts and burn the whole bank. See how he likes not having any money."

Hermione turned around sharply, causing her scarf to loosen around her neck. "Ronald Weasley, I don't ever want to hear you mention burning a bank again! Besides, do you know how many enchantments and protective wards they have on Gringotts, not to mention it was built by goblins so who knows what sort of their magic is protecting it-"

Ron's face turned white and he interrupted Hermione mid-rant.

"Hermione, what is that on your neck?"

"What are you talking about?"

It felt as if ice had been thrown over her head and against her better judgment, her hand flew instinctively up to hide whatever might be there. She had a pretty good idea what might be there, but a piece of her remained hopeful that just maybe it wasn't what she thought.

"Is that a- have you been snogging someone?" Ron spat out at her in a mixture of disbelief and disdain. His eyebrows had disappeared beneath his hair and his face was rapidly gaining color turning red to match his hair.

Anger flared up in Hermione. Ron snogged Lavender all the time, why should he be angered that she might have someone as well? The situation brought back fourth year when Ron had assumed she wouldn't have a date for the Yule Ball. The memory just added more anger to what was already there.

"So what if I have?" Her nostrils were flared and her eyes had grown large with contempt. Apparently, it was enough to make him think about what he was going to say next.

Ron shifted his feet nervously, before looking at Harry as if for help and then looking back at her. He continued to look frightened, but nonetheless continued in a whisper.

"Hermione, people are going to think you are being a-a whore." He finished with a grimace on his face.

Any self-control she was holding on to was lost at that point.

"Oh yeah? Well, what about your girlfriend, Lav-lav? At least I haven't shagged someone from every house. Oh wait, you didn't know about that did you? I think me snogging is the least of your concerns Ronald Weasley! I am 17 and I can very well do as I please!"

The look on Ron's face made Hermione feel a twinge of guilt, but she pushed it aside. Really, he shouldn't be thick enough to not know things about his girlfriend that she had no problem telling herself. She spared a glance at Harry and could tell he was feeling torn between the two.

Seeing as she now had someone to turn to see cast a small smile towards him hoping he realized she didn't mind if he stayed with Ron and she was sorry.

"Sorry you lost Harry, you still played great. I'll see you later."

Hermione walked away and felt her anger dissolve into disappointment. Ron didn't even know about Draco and it seemed since they have been married there was already tension building between the two of them. She hated arguing with him she really did. He was one of her best friends after all, but lately he had just grated her nerves. Everything that came out of his mouth was negative.

Maybe it was the fact that despite how unwanted the situation was between her and Draco, they were both making the best out of it and not complaining. It showed maturity on both of their parts. Something Ron was sorely lacking, in her opinion.

She wouldn't dwell on the fact that her relationship with Draco was becoming less and less unwanted. Even now, she found herself grateful that tonight was one of the nights they had to stay together. She told herself it was because she wouldn't have to see Ron, but she knew it was pointless to argue.

Draco was quickly implanting himself in a special place in her heart and the knowledge scared her. He was still a Slytherin after all, what if he was just being sneaky? No, she would quit using old prejudices to cause herself to be frightened. He hadn't been anything but honest and respectful of her lately and she was just going to have to put her trust in him.

Getting annoyed at all of the thoughts that were continuously running through her head, she decided to take a trip to the library and to get lost in a book. She just needed a break from it all.

Draco stormed down the corridors leading to the dungeons furious. He was supposed to protect Hermione, not put her at risk. How could he hide his developing feelings for her if they had to be a couple at a silly Halloween Ball?

The fact that he was developing feelings for the brain of the Golden Trio confused and scared him if he was honest with himself. He already had to worry about protecting his mother, and now he had Hermione added to it.

Of course, he would have protected her anyway, she was his wife feelings or not, but now he had an emotional investment in her. Something he never thought would develop. He had assumed they would hold respect towards each other, but that would be all. Quickly, that was diminishing though.

He found himself searching her out. He knew the move he made at the Quidditch match was brazen and could have gotten them in loads of trouble, but he a small part of himself wanting people to know she was his. To let stupid Potter and Weasel know he had just shagged their bookworm of a best friend and she had liked it.

It was more than that though. She was worming her way into his thoughts. He found himself happy today was Sunday so he could see her this evening, even if they only talked. He enjoyed her company and he found himself drawn towards her. He had the strange urge to kiss her anytime he saw her and he found himself growing irritated that everything had to be so secretive.

All of this was hard for him to process. Surely, it only had to do with them being soul mates. How else would two people that were, for years, enemies, suddenly develop feelings for each other? Not that he thought Hermione felt anything for him. Although, she didn't resist him kissing her and she certainly was friendly, something he knew she wouldn't normally be towards him no matter what the circumstances.

His conflicting thoughts were cut off when he reached Snape's door. He didn't bother to knock, knowing nobody else would be in there on a Sunday after a Quidditch match, especially when Slytherin won.

Upon entering, he waved his wand wordlessly, causing the door to slam. He then cast more silent charms making sure the room was secure before turning back to Snape who was watching him with mute interest.

"What the bloody hell does Dumbledore think he's playing at? We are supposed to remain a secret, she is supposed to stay safe, yet he is making us attend the Yule Ball together! Does he not realize the repercussions I will face from Voldemort for going with a muggle born?" Draco's breathing was heavy as he finally let out the anger he had been carefully hiding since he considered what going to the ball meant.

"So, she's no longer a mudblood?"

"You know I don't care about blood anymore."

"I knew you didn't think people should die over it. However, I didn't know your prejudices had died completely."

"Yes, well, that's not the point. Why is he making us go to the ball together?"

Snape sighed before leaning towards Draco and gazing at him calmly.

"First of all, it is a statement to the other houses that they can unite and come together. Secondly, it is a test."

"A test?" Draco's mind raced trying to figure out what kind of test Dumbledore could possibly be conducting.

"To see if you and Miss, excuse me, Mrs. Malfoy can keep your situation and, I believe, feelings secret when needed. If you can't even keep them hid at a ball, you certainly can't keep them hid if one of you were hurt or in danger."

"Who said we had feelings?"

"I suggest, Draco, that if you don't want your cover blown within the next week you quit having snogging sessions in so-called hidden acloves." Snapes eyes stared unblinkingly at Draco, scolding him even though his voice remained calm.

"You saw us." It wasn't a question, but a statement. Draco was sure nobody had seen them, but leave it to Snape to point out that it had been a stupid move on his part. The problem was, Draco knew it was stupid, but at that moment he didn't care. He wanted a congratulatory kiss from his lover like everyone else was able to have.

"Yes, I did. Fortunately, nobody else did. This time. Do not do it again. You two have your own rooms for a reason."

Snape looked at Draco for a moment with an odd look in his eye that Draco couldn't quite figure out. If he didn't know Snape better he would almost say it was sympathy or sadness, but that wasn't possible. Snape just didn't show those types of emotions.

"Draco, I suggest," Snape hesitated and Draco leaned forward anxious to hear what his godfather was going to say, when Snape seemed to think better of it, straightening his back. "I suggest you go on to dinner before you are missed. As seeker of the winning Slytherin team, people will wonder why you are skipping out on festivities."

Draco suppressed a sigh. He was certain that wasn't what Snape was going to tell him and he wondered what made him change what he was going to say.

"Yes, of course. I will see you later then."

With that he left, more questions running through his mind than when he had arrived.

A/N: I will apologize profusely for the lateness. Instead of excuses I will just give a short list of reasons this has been delayed.

My laptop it was saved on broke.

College has hit big time with 10 page essays and finals.

Either way, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and the next chapter should be the ball, if not there is only one more chapter before it so please let me know if there is anything you want to happen at the ball and I will take it into consideration.