Blaise nervously smoothed out his tux and examined himself in the mirror. Although it was a little embarrassing, he had scoured through the Wizard Weekly magazine to find the correct hair charms for men. His long black hair was styled in curly layers that were parted with loose bangs. Two years ago his mother brought him back this tux from Italy as a present, and he was happy to finally be able to put it to good use. It was finally the night of the Winter Ball, the very event he and Hermione had planned from the beginning of the semester. Draco had finally plucked up the courage to ask Astoria to the ball the same night he asked Hermione. Everything was really coming together.

The past few days leading up to the ball had been great. Although he and Hermione still weren't technically official, their flirting had definitely increased. Whether it would be subtle glances or soft touches here and there, it was clear she felt the same way about him. All that was left to do was ask her to be his girlfriend, and tonight would be the night.

He heard the clock chime in the distance. It was time to go to the ball. Taking a deep breath, he walked out to the common room over to Hermione's door and knocked.

"Give me one more minute, Blaise!" she called from the other side. He paced nervously in front of her door until she finally came out.

When he saw her, he thought he forgot how to breathe. She looked absolutely stunning. Rather than the pretty pink dress she had worn during 4th year, she was dressed in a dark green, strapless gown with silver jewels on the bodice that flared out at the bottom and pooled around her feet. Her hair was piled elegantly in a bun with a few loose strands framing her face. A pair of crystal earrings emphasized her high cheekbones. He could tell she must have been wearing heels because she seemed a few inches taller than usual.

"Wow," he said a bit breathlessly. "Slytherin colors?"

Hermione giggled nervously, pushing a few strands of hair away from her face. "Forest green and silver," she corrected. "Is it too much?"

"Not at all. You look beautiful," he told her honestly. "But," he said coming to stand behind her. "I think this will complete the look."

It was Hermione's turn to be breathless as he placed his mother's silver rose pendant around her neck.

"Blaise, I can't wear this," she protested, lightly touching the rose. It was far too special.

"It's not a gift," he said, fastening the clasp and letting his fingers rest on the back of her neck for a moment. "It's just for tonight. I'd like if you would wear it."

"Alright then. I'd be honored to," she said with a warm smile.

"Shall we head downstairs?" He asked holding out his arm.

"I think so," she replied, taking his arm as he led the way.

When they reached the staircase that led down to the Great Hall, they could already hear the music playing and sounds of excitement and chatter. Couples passed them laughing and glancing back to admire them. Neville and Luna passed them and waved to Hermione. Hermione looked around for Harry and but couldn't find him in the crowd. She did manage to spot Andy and another younger girl from Hufflepuff, making her chuckle as he waved enthusiastically at them before going in.

"Blaise!" Draco waved from the bottom of the stairs. Draco was also in a formal tux. Astoria stood next to him wearing a long-sleeved off the shoulder lace purple gown with her hair cascading in waves around her shoulders. They looked like a picture-perfect pureblood aristocratic couple.

Blaise and Hermione made their way down the stairs towards them.

"You both look great!" Hermione said as they approached. She and Astoria had only spoken a few times formally at the Slug Club parties, but got along well enough.

"So do you two," Astoria replied, weaving her arm through Draco's. Blaise noticed this and raised an eyebrow teasingly at Draco, who pretended not to notice.

As the four them walked into the Great Hall, they were amazed at the final decorations. It looked almost exactly like the Yule Ball during fourth year.

Blaise caught Draco's awestruck expression and smirked. "And you didn't want to come," he teased. Draco rolled his eyes back at him as McGonagall approached them.

"Mr. Zabini, Ms. Granger," she greeted. "I want to personally thank you for planning the Winter Ball. It all turned out wonderfully."

"You're welcome, headmistress. Without all the help you've given us this semester, it wouldn't have come together so nicely," Hermione replied. It was true. McGonagall had given them time off during Harry's disappearance and even extended their deadlines on some of their essays. She could understand doing it for her, but she had given Blaise the same treatment so that he could be there to support her. That was more than Hermione could ever ask for.

"Well, I hope you all have a wonderful time tonight," McGonagall said, placing a reassuring hand on Hermione's shoulder and smiling fondly at Blaise before she left to go to the podium.

The music quieted as all the attention was directed to McGonagall. "Good evening," she began. "Welcome to the Winter Ball. I hope most of you will recognize the theme, as we did our best to mimic the Yule Ball four years ago. This year had a rocky start, but I believe that we have all grown over the past few months to accept each other and embrace our differences. To further promote this concept, you will be able to vote on the best couple from different houses tonight. The winning couple shall receive 50 points each to their houses." Excited whispers broke out and she had to shush them before she continued. "The voting booth is set up in the back of the room and you may vote for the next two hours. The winners shall be announced at the end of the ball. I'd also like to thank our head boy and head girl for organizing everything, they've done a tremendous job. Tonight should be about friendship and fun. I hope you all enjoy yourselves, responsibly of course," she added, earning a few chuckles from the students. "If I do not see any of you tomorrow morning before the train leaves, I hope you all have a fantastic winter vacation! Cherish this time with your family and your loved ones, and return ready to work hard at school."

The music began again as McGonagall stepped down to talk to the other professors.

Everyone began to dance together, forgetting all their worries for the first time in a while. Hermione had forgotten how much she loved dancing. Everyone had thought she was just a bookworm, but in 4th year she had proven all of them wrong by dancing gracefully with Viktor Krum and letting loose when the band played. Tonight was no different. Dancing with new friends just made it even more fun.

Blaise felt truly happy as the four of them just enjoyed being young adults, something they hadn't been able to do in years. During 4th year, a girl from Beauxbatons had asked him to the Yule Ball and he had accepted. She ended up ditching him halfway through the night to sneak off with an older boy from Durmstrang, so he made it a point to promptly forget her name and any other distinguishing feature of hers.

From the corner of her eye, Hermione spotted Harry and Ginny in the entrance hall and excused herself for a moment.

"Harry!" She greeted him with a hug. She looked at Ginny for a moment, hesitating before she did the unexpected. She leaned in and gave Ginny a small hug too. She was even more surprised when the younger girl hugged her back. Perhaps having Harry back in her life was helping her revert back to her old self. "When did you get here?"

"Hey, Hermione. About 15 minutes ago. Ginny and I are actually going outside for a little while. The ball is a bit too stuffy for us at the moment. We need some air," he explained apologetically.

"Oh, alright. Well come dance with us later if you two feel like it," she said to them before returning to Blaise.


After what seemed like an eternity of dancing, eating, chatting, and dancing again, the band stopped to make an announcement.

"Alright everyone we've had a lot of fun tonight, but it's time for the final song of the evening." This was met with a lot of complaining but he held his hand up to continue speaking. "Grab your date or someone special and head to the dance floor. The winners of the Inter-House couple contest will be announced right after we finish!"

People rushed with their dates to the dance floor immediately as a slow song came on.

"Shall we?" Blaise asked Hermione, holding his hand out. She shyly took it and followed him to the middle of the crowd. Blaise pulled her close and they began to sway with the music. Draco and Astoria did the same nearby.

"Thanks for being my date tonight," Hermione said. "Our hard work has really paid off."

"There's no one else I'd rather be here with."

Almost as if they were in a fairytale, snow started falling from the charmed ceiling. This was a special spell Dumbledore and McGonagall had created for the Yule Ball years ago.

Blaise stared at Hermione, admiring her beauty and going over what he had planned to say in his mind. She looked down to attempt at hiding her blush at his intense gaze.

"What?"

He gently lifted her chin to look at him. "Have I ever properly thanked you for saving my life?" He asked in a serious tone.

She looked at him in confusion. "When do you mean?"

"At the battle. Madame Pomfrey told me what happened."

"Oh," she replied, remembering that day. "You don't have to thank me, Blaise. I already told you that I thought you acted incredibly bravely."

A whirlwind of emotions was rustling through him. He felt his face heat up as he took a breath and finally began to say what he should have said long ago.

"You saved me, Hermione. More than just my life. Before we became friends I was depressed. I had lost everything, even myself. You brought me out of the dark place I was trapped in and into the light with you." He inwardly kicked himself for adding the last bit, realizing how utterly cliché it sounded.

Moved by his words, she gave his hand a light squeeze. "We brought each other here," she said. "You've helped me too more than you know."

Blaise felt a million butterflies in his stomach at her words. Never had he felt happier. Suddenly, he realized the song was ending soon. Summoning all the courage he could muster, he gently tightened his grip on her waist, leaned in, and kissed her.

Hermione's whole world froze when Blaise's lips touched hers in the middle of the dance floor. The moment couldn't have been any more perfect. She brought her hand behind his head, running her fingers through his soft black hair and deepened the kiss.

It had been so long since she had felt this happy. The song was over, but the only thing she was aware of was how good his lips felt.

When they finally broke away breathless, people around them were staring and whispering. As usual, they had somehow become the center of attention at Hogwarts. Draco gave Blaise a knowing smirk and a thumbs up, but he was too lost in Hermione's eyes to notice.

"Alright ladies and gentlemen, it's time to announce the winners!" The lead band member said from the stage. Everyone's gaze was turned towards the band, but Blaise and Hermione only looked at each other.

"You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that," Blaise confessed, pressing his forehead against hers.

"You have no idea how long I've wanted you to do that," she said with a giggle. Glancing at him she saw the small curl of his lips turn into a breathtaking smile. He was so incredibly handsome that this all had to be a dream, although she prayed to all the deities she could name that it was real.

"The winners of the Inter-House Couple contest are….your very own head boy and head girl, Blaise Zabini of Slytherin and Hermione Granger of Gryffindor!"

The room erupted with cheers and applause. Hermione and Blaise finally came out of their daze as the small fireworks burst above them.

She leaned against him, weaving their fingers together and feeling whole for the first time in years. Looking out into the crowd, she noticed Harry and Ginny also holding hands, smiling happily at her. Draco and Astoria were clapping, Draco looking quite smug. She had never felt more content.


After the Winter Ball had died down and students were going back to bed, Blaise and Hermione decided to take a walk by the lake after grabbing their winter coats.

They walked along a narrow trail. A light breeze created ripples on the water and ruffled their hair. Blaise breathed in the crisp winter air and let his gaze wander at the gorgeous scenery around them.

He smiled and turned to Hermione. "Beautiful isn't it?"

"It's the perfect night," she said happily.

"It is," Blaise agreed. "Did you see Andy and his date? They were so cute I'm surprised they didn't win the contest."

"I didn't even know we were eligible to win considering we're head boy and head girl," she said with a laugh. "I guess people have become more accepting of the idea that a Gryffindor and a Slytherin can be more than friends after all. You remember those looks I got for the first few weeks when I dared to sit at your table?"

"Who could forget that? Or the even crazier stares we got when you and Draco became friends. That will probably go down in Hogwarts history."

"Let's rest for a moment," Hermione said pointing to the bench up ahead. They sat down and Blaise pulled out his wand to produce a temporary warming spell on the air around them.

"Where did you learn how to do that?"

He grinned, putting his wand away. "My mother taught it to me. She always complained it was too cold until she learned how to do it."

They sat together for some time, watching the ripples on the lake. The moon rose high in the sky, giving the lake a glowing effect.

"What are your plans for winter vacation?" Blaise asked, seemingly out of nowhere. This caught Hermione by surprise, as she hadn't actually planned anything.

"Oh, I hadn't really thought that far in advance to be honest."

"Are you going to stay with Harry maybe?"

"No he's far too busy with other things. I wouldn't want to inconvenience him. Maybe I'll just stay here at Hogwarts. I'm sure professor Slughorn or headmistress McGonagall wouldn't mind some extra help around the castle."

Blaise frowned at this. "Wouldn't you be lonely?"

She looked at him sadly. "Without you I would be." She knew Draco was probably going home to be with his mother and Harry would be too busy with his work.

He gently took her hand. "Why don't you come stay with me for winter break? It would be boring in my manor by myself."

Hermione felt her face heat up at his suggestion and what it implied. He rolled his eyes at her.

"I'm not asking you to move in or anything. I just don't want you to be alone if you don't have to be," he reassured her. It was far too early in their relationship for anything like that. "Maybe then I could take you out on a proper date."

She relaxed at his words. "I would really like that. Okay, I'll come with you then."

Smiling, Blaise wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. She let her head rest on his shoulder as they admired the view in front of them, wishing that the night would never end.