Hello! This is a rewrite, I had originally had another pairing but It just didn't feel right, so I give you a Dramione!

_Ugh, why did her genetics curse her with such frizzy curls! She thought to herself. As she applied her third hair balm on her frizzy hair. She looked in the mirror. Not bad Hermione, she thought to herself. She wore a long black elegant dress, with a choker covered in rhinestones, and two elegant slits that showed off some very toned legs.

She was finally ready, with very minimum make up, straightening her hair is as far as she would go in making an attempt to look decent for these ministry balls

Draco would be picking her up so they could floo in together. She looked at her watch, he would be there in about five minutes. She walked to her kitchen and poured herself a glass of firewhsikey. These balls always put her on edge. She loved seeing Harry, Ginny, Ron, Neville and Luna. She just hated being paraded like a show pony to remind sponsors that their money is getting put into good use for building this and that. I mean, yes, the ministry is doing great work, but why did they need her picture as a reminder to fight for good. She heard the swish of her floo and turned around to come face to face with Draco Malfoy. Maybe it was the firewhiskey rushing to her head but she felt herself hold her breath when she met his eyes. He, of course was dressed in his classic black dress robes. He looked different, though. He had a sparkle in his eyes, and a smirk that make him look like he was up to something. Then it dawned upon them. They were staring. They were staring at each other.

"Granger, you look lovely" he said as he took a slight bow.

"You don't look so bad yourself Malfoy"

Silence

Awkward silence

"forgive me Hermione, I don't mean to sound so forward, however you do look beautiful"

She couldn't help the faint blush against her cheek. And there it was again. That warm sensation in her stomach.

"stop being so awkward Draco, you don't look so bad yourself"

She saw a slight tint of red on Severus' cheek.

"well shall we, we don't want to be late now" he said as he offered her his arm.

"alright then, let's get this over with, see you on the other side" she told him as she grabbed some floo powder

"Ministry Ball"

Hermione stepped out to a beautifully decorated front room. Narcissa Malfoy really outdid herself. She offered to host the ball since the first year they've done this showcase, she truly outdid herself. Malfoy Manor was completely transformed into a perfect winter wonderland.

She felt the slight wind the floo made when another person went through and again she came face to face with Draco. Again she felt that warm sensation, and as they locked eyes again they froze. She didn't know what overcame her but next thing she knew she found her hand cleaning off some soot from his shoulder, then she ran it down his chest where she felt him stiffen. Then he brushed a piece of stray hair from her face, and he began to lean down. It was like time stood still.

"there you two are!" said the voice of Narcissa Malfoy.

They immediately separated from each other as though a bucket of ice landed on them.

"oh im sorry was I interrupting a moment or something?" Narcissa said sarcastically.

"come on then, I cant get this ball started without my top two show ponies"

"I highly regret the day I taught you what a show pony is Draco" Hermione said.

"In my defense never in a million years did I ever think to hear my mother use such language"

Hermione and Draco both shared a giggle, and Draco extended his arm to her. Hermione held on to his arms and walked forward for their entrance.

She immediately spotted Harry and felt better already at seeing a familiar face. The walked over to the group of former Gryffindors with a smile.

"Malfoy is that a smile, I must say hanging out with Hermione has been doing wonders for you" Harry said

"ah Potter with your ever charming wit" he glared at Harry

Just then an announcement came over head.

"Please everyone, find your seats the ceremony will begin in five minutes"

Draco extended his arm to Hermione, who took it with a smile and went to their table. Of course they were surrounded by Harry, Ginny, Ron, Lavander, Neville and Luna. It was the bloody school reunion Draco tries to avoid at all costs. However, he couldn't help the warm sensation he felt every time he heard Hermione laugh. A few times their eyes locked eyes and he noticed the small blush on her face. Then he realized he felt himself blush as well. What is happening. What is this. This is Granger. The bushy haired, know it all, annoying, frustrating, kind, wonderful, beautiful, smart woman. Oh she was definitely a woman. He was after all a man, and noticed her curves that were beautifully and in the most classic of ways displayed for the evening.

The ceremony was the same. The minister said some words, calls Harry up, who to the ministers annoyance always gave the shortest and to the point speeches (thank Merlin for small miracles). Then Narcissa comes up thanks the donor, and finally dinner and the blasted dance.

Harry returned to his sweet amongst cheers from his peers.

"well done Hunny! You made me 25 galleons richer!" Said Ginny as she kissed his cheek.

"Excuse me dear, but how did that happened?"

"Oh I bet Blaise that your speech would be shorter than last year!"

The entire table broke out in laughter.

"Harry! One day your going to give the poor minister a heart attack! All these donors come to hear you speak, and you give them 45 seconds!" Hermione said as tears were coming from her eyes.

"can you believe the man has the audacity to give me a prewritten script! As if I would ever!" Harry said.

"oh!" exclaimed Hermione, "I LOVE this song! Draco come join me!"

"I'm busy slowly sipping on my firewiskey, thank you…"

"it will be there when we get back" said Hermione as she pulled him up and lead him to the dance floor.

Draco was so stiff he could win a frozen in place contest.

It wasn't until he felt her grab his hand and place it on her lower back that he visibly relaxed. She leaned her head on his chest and he felt himself relax in a way that made him feel like a carefree kid again.

Over at their table, Harry looked at Hermione and Draco with a pondering glare,

"Ginny, are my eyes playing tricks on me, or is that a genuine smile on Dracos' face"

"no tricks Harry, it does take you a bit to realize the obvious, those two are meant for each other, I cannot wait until the day they realize it"

"no way Ginny, he's Malfoy!"

"and he is also a man! And Hermione is a grown woman!"

"no..she's my sister"

"and do you tell Ron the things you do to her sister!"

"okay, point taken."

Back on the dance floor, Hermione thought, wow he smells so nice, and before she knew it she had her head on his chest and they were gently swaying to the music. He was relaxed, and they felt comfortable. It felt just right. As the song ended, Draco couldn't help the feeling in his chest, the one

that said he didn't want to let go of her. He looked down at her and she looked up at him and in that moment they both felt that spark.

"so, Draco, it is no surprise that you are quite the dancer"

"swaying back and forth doesn't require much skill", a hair went loose around her face and he carefully put in back around her ear, without though, Hermione leaned into his hand. For that moment, it felt as though everyone disappeared around them, and it was just the two of them against the world.

"Mind if I cut in?" Interrupted Harry.

Leave it to Harry to butt in his moment with Hermione, Draco thought.

"Of course Potter"

Harry took Hermiones Hand and they starting waltzing about.

"Ummmm Hermione, what in the world is going on with you and Malfoy?'

"what do you mean?"

"okay, I know I may be daft sometimes, but there is no way anyone can miss the affection between you two, wait a minute did I just associate the word affection with Draco, seriously, are you guys like a thing?"

Hermione laughed, "Harry, he is my colleague and friend, he would not see me in that way, I'm still that obnoxious know it all to him!"

"yea tell that to the face he made, when I interrupted you two"

Hermione didn't respond, she just smiled and enjoyed her dance with Harry. However, internally her mind was going a thousand miles an hour. Could he? Could he see her as more than her potions partner? Could he see her as a potential lover? She would not be opposed to that, she thought, as she blushed into Harry's arms.