Hermione led the way even though she didn't know the layout of the venue. Draco followed solemnly and felt himself grow heavy. The tension between them was bitter-tasting and it made his face cringe. The pair of them waited off to the side for when the range of numbers that included them was called. Draco kept his hands in his pockets and anxiously tapped his foot. He didn't realize that it was so loud until Hermione said something about it. Immediately he stopped. If he hadn't he probably wouldn't have heard the announcer say, "One through thirty-five! Please step out onto the dance floor!"

Draco held his breath. He stretched out his hand for Hermione to take and saw the look on her face. She looked as though she'd rather swim in an acidic lake than to put her hand in his, but she did it otherwise. They walked out onto the dance floor with their heads held up high as did all the other competitors. They too were doing the Paso Doble. That's how the competitors were arranged. The primary dances that were ever performed were the Paso Doble, Samba, Salsa, Viennese Waltz, and the Tango. All those who were performing a certain dance danced together. With the beauty of magic, each couple was captured on video which was reviewed between breaks. Before the next group of dancers went out the winner of the past group would be announced. After all winners from each group were announced, their replay would air for everyone to see and then the judges would make their final decision.

Once they were in the middle of the floor Draco went to release Hermione's hand but she suddenly clasped it. He looked at her and saw at once all her resolve fall as she looked all around her. She took a deep breath and swallowed. "Will there be enough space?"

Draco wanted to smile at her. Aside from the question that she had asked, it was the way that she had asked it that seemed so innocent and so naïve. But he could understand her fear. The past few months were spent in a small room with just the two of them. To venture to an enormous place with other people –people who were competing against you –and being judged, it would cause some unease. Draco saw to rid of her discomfort, but not by doing something nice.

"I'm sure fixating yourself on how much you detest me will get your mind off of it."

Hermione huffed and readily let his hand go. She went on to mumble something about not properly answering her question, but her response was just what Draco wanted. He got himself ready. He knew Maggie was watching somewhere, but at his request she was sitting somewhere he couldn't see. He waited. He breathed and he waited for the kick in the music. There used to be a time when he first began dancing that whenever the music came on it was such a startle that Draco had lost track of what he was to do. Number and rhythm was key in dance no matter what it was. One move lacking in precision could cost him everything.

When the music started Draco made contact with Hermione's eyes. She was mad at him alright; and each step she took was perfect. Her facial expression was flawless. The amount of force she used to push him away was just enough, but not too much. Everything about her was…as Maggie would say, beyond perfection. And yet Draco still felt off. He frowned within himself when he realized that all imperfections were coming from him. He didn't step hard enough. He didn't move fierce enough. And he was sure that the expression on his face expressed hurt and regret rather than anger. The only part of the dance he felt satisfied with –more than satisfied really –was when he was holding her. That one part of the dance where the audience, as well as he and Hermione, was holding their breaths as the dancing couple held onto an exquisite form. Draco only supposed it was done to perfection because he didn't want her to fall. He wanted her to be safe from harm. Eventually he did have to let her fall however, and the end of the dance was executed just as fairly, because just enough anger at himself for being so pathetic drove him to a wonderful finish.

And just as quickly as it began, the Paso Doble was over. Draco escorted Hermione off of the dance floor and they took their seats at the edge of the arena. Neither spoke. They just sat there drinking water that they took from floating trays and partaking in nervous habits such as nail biting and foot jingling. After what seemed like an eternity run over twice the announcer came out onto the middle of the floor.

"First and foremost," the announcer began. "Before I disclose the winning couple of the Paso Doble round, I must mention that the judges were very impressed by what they saw and would like to congratulate all of you."

There was applause from the audience and Draco rolled his eyes. Each clap was a second wasted and a nasty jab at his patience.

"And the winners of the Paso Doble are…! Couple number twenty-three, Draco Malfoy and his partner Hermione Granger..!"

Hermione nearly fell off of her chair before catching herself. Draco on the other hand was in awe. He knew himself. He knew at what level he could perform and that wasn't it. He could count the number of times that he messed up and knew that if this was a professional competition there'd be no way for him to win. But he knew why it worked this time. This competition was all about the nonprofessional dancer. The judges were looking at that –at Hermione. And Draco could in no way exaggerate when saying that she had looked, and was, sensational.

There was nothing left to do now but wait. There were four other groups left to dance and so Draco could breathe. He looked over at Hermione every now and again who seemed to be trying wholeheartedly not to even sniff in his direction. Sighing, he crossed his arms about his chest and leaned back into his chair.

"What are you going to do with your share?"

Hermione turned her head to him in confusion. "My what…?"

"Your share," Draco repeated. "You know; the money you're going to get when we win."

Hermione snorted. "You're so cocky. There're four other couples the judges are going to be looking at. We might not win."

"Pessimism doesn't look good on you."

"It's called being realistic, Malfoy. But I suppose someone like you who's always used to getting what he wants wouldn't think like that."

Draco groaned in frustration. He decided to keep quiet then. There was no need for anger anymore, so why provoke it? Instead he stared at the dance floor. He watched all the other competitors and remarked the mistakes made and amazing choreography. When the section for the Viennese Waltz came on, Draco only watched half-heartedly. Ava was there, basking in all her grace and moving with fluidity with her partner. It was no surprise that the judges announced her and her partner's name as the winners. And even though they won, Draco still had high hopes for the win. The times that he did look at the twirling couple, he could see where Ava's partner should've had better body structure but didn't, missed a count, and wore a look of worry on his face rather than sincerity. Those were mistakes Hermione hadn't made. Draco was proud of that and looked over at her. She, however, was too busy trying to fix something on her shoes that didn't need fixing.

"Will all the winners please come to the dance floor!" one of the judged announced. Hermione looked up from her preoccupation to see Draco already on his feet and holding his hand out to her. She sighed, reluctant to place her hand in his but did so anyway. Draco remarked that the falsies were back –the fake smiles, the attitude that she really wanted to be there with him and enjoyed having him as a partner.

Draco walked out with her onto the middle of the floor, highly satisfied that Ava and her partner were at the far end of the line and away from them. He stared out ahead of him and at the judge. In that moment something struck him odd. Usually when announcing winners the trophy would be set on a pedestal right next to the judge. It wasn't there this time, and all of a sudden Draco felt a sinking in his stomach –an even bigger drop once the announcer said what he feared.

"We have a tie," He called to the crowd, and Draco felt a jolt of pressure clasp onto his arm from Hermione. "The Wallaby Dancing Competition hasn't had a tie in twenty years, and the judges and I are thrilled to have one yet again. There is one trophy and grand prize, and so the two tying couples that I will announce shall compete against each other. The type of dance was out of two choices chosen at random, and those choices were the types of dances that the winners had previously danced tonight.

'And so the two couples are Ava Lorelei and David Isles and Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger… Competing dance: the Viennese Waltz. You have twenty minutes to prepare."

Draco immediately looked over at Hermione who looked positively petrified. Draco took her hand then and led her from the dance floor and into the back where she exploded in frustration.

"How in Merlin's name is that even fair!" Hermione wailed. "Did you see Ava? Her dance was flawless."

"Her dance might have been, but her partner's could've used work."

"This isn't funny, Malfoy. We haven't practiced the Viennese Waltz. We're going to lose! Humph, 'chosen at random…' That's hardly the case I'm sure. They want them to win-!"

"They want us to do better." Draco contradicted. Hermione stared at him in confusion and he sighed. "You're right. Whenever there's a tie the chosen dance type is never at random. In fact it's never even truly a tie. It happens like that because some of the judges like one particular couple, and the others believe that another couple could've won if they had just done a smidgen better.

'They chose the Viennese Waltz because they feel that Ava and her partner can't do any better. They think that we can."

"But we haven't practiced." Hermione emphasized. Draco placed his hands on her shoulders, hoping she wouldn't snap at him for doing so, and then sighed in relief when she didn't.

"This is your dance, Granger. I've told you so. You could do it in your sleep, you know that."

Hermione couldn't contain her blushing. She wriggled herself from under Draco's hands then and crossed her arms about her chest. "…So what if it is. I'm not dancing the Waltz alone; I'm doing it with you. The Tango and the Waltz are two completely different avenues. That's why we did the Paso Doble in the first place."

"I know that." Draco took a moment to run his hands through his hair and then he gritted his teeth. It was now or never. "The Waltz is about admitting emotions, letting things go, right?"

"…Right,"

"Well, then…I have a few things to admit."

Hermione stared at him in surprise as Draco rubbed his hands together and took a few deep breaths in order to calm his nerves. "I'm sorry for not telling you about the prize money. I didn't do it to deliberately leave you out. It was…just something that I didn't mention-"

"Just something you didn't mention..?" Hermione repeated credulously. She scoffed. "Malfoy-"

"Shh, let me finish." Draco interrupted. Hermione looked like she was ready to lash out at him, but his next set of words stopped her. "The conversation between Maggie and me wasn't just about money. That was all you took away from it, but you didn't understand the underpinning of it. The Paso Doble wasn't working. It wasn't working because we weren't mad at each other. We didn't hate each other. After that I noticed that you were really upset with me. I didn't know why, but I pretended like I didn't know something was wrong. It was good for the dance. Maggie loved it…for a while. She was concerned about why you were so mad at me. It couldn't have been because I was making you practice for long hours.

'Maggie wanted me to find out, but I told her that I wouldn't. If I knew… You've got to realize I was feeding off of how pissed off at me you were. So if I knew what was wrong, I'd care. I wouldn't have been able to be mad at you. I wouldn't have been able to do the dance."

"…I've seen you, Malfoy." Hermione started off slowly. She then huffed and shook her head. "I've seen you dance plenty of times. The silhouettes on the outside of the studio," She explained, and then hid the reddening of her face. "You've danced everything. And from what I've learned from you everything requires emotion. You could've faked it."

"Those women I never knew personally." Draco defended. "None of them I truly ever liked."

Hermione chuckled condescendingly. "What, so you hated them?"

"I don't mean like in that sense, Granger."

Hermione grew quiet. Draco was looking embarrassed and for the first time ever his face flushed. Hermione didn't know what to say then. She held herself and rubbed her hands over her shoulders. Draco began avoiding her gaze just as she had been avoiding his. Ava and her partner came into Hermione's line of view for a moment and her stare lingered on them. They looked so pleased with themselves like as if the competition had already been won. But if there was one thing that Draco had taught her it was to never become complacent. When complacent all emotions got set down to the side. She turned her eyes back to Draco who was taking a great interest in his shoes. Sighing, she walked over to him and placed a finger under his chin to make him look at her.

Hermione smiled. "Let's go win."

Draco followed suit and let a smile come to his lips. When it was time to get back out onto the dance floor Draco felt relieved. He had just released everything that had been on his mind for the past few weeks within minutes and now, as tacky as it sounded, felt as airy as the songs used for a Waltz. He and Hermione took their positions long before the dance was to start. Draco wondered what she was thinking. He had told her that he liked her and her single reply was about winning. Was there something imbedded in those words that Draco was supposed to get?

Maybe there was. Maybe it was in the dance and how Hermione smiled more than necessary. It seemed that she felt at peace in his arms. He hoped that he felt the same in hers. They flowed across the floor with grace as though there wasn't another couple on the floor with them. And all at once it felt like they weren't just alone on the floor, but alone in the room they had practiced in. When the song gave its soft, slow finish, Draco and Hermione were in a twirl, and it ended with Hermione gently being pulled back into Draco's arms, their faces inches apart and staring into each other's eyes that portrayed nothing short of satisfaction and happiness.

"…Even if we don't win," Draco started. "Know that I didn't make a mistake in choosing you for a dance partner."

"Now look who's being pessimistic."

Draco laughed. Hermione joined in and neither of them noticed that the announcers had made their decision. The entire dance hall was applauding and standing on their feet. Draco and Hermione finally broke apart in time to see one of the judges going up to them with a trophy in his hands.

"Congratulations!" He said proudly and Draco and Hermione hugged each other excitedly; completely forgetting the announcer who was holding the heavy trophy in his hands.

Hermione bought a stand for the trophy. To her utter surprise Draco had told her to keep it. So he said, it was a competition for non-professional dancers. She had deserved it. And so she kept it in her living room as a constant reminder of her accomplishment as well as a reminder of Draco.

Ginny's wedding was the next day and Hermione was heading over to the Burrow that night since that was where the wedding was taking place. As she was getting her things ready, her gaze constantly went to the trophy and she thought of what Draco was doing now. Granted she had only last seen him yesterday, but now the dance studio was his. She could picture him walking around it alone, taking it all in, and then wondering how the hell it had happened. Hermione reckoned that she would see him again. Now that she had unmasked the silhouette that had plagued her for months and danced with him, it would be hard to stay away.

Sighing, Hermione heard a knock on her door. She closed her trunk and set it upright before she went to the front door, completely surprised at seeing Draco behind it.

"Surprised to see me, I take it?"

Was it her gasp that let him know that she was confused, let alone surprised, at his visit? Yes and no. It was also the fact that her mouth was slightly agape of which she closed quickly and tightly.

"Um, a bit, yes… Why are you here?"

"I came to give you this." Draco reached into his pocket and handed Hermione a piece of paper. When it was in Hermione's hands she realized that it was a check. "It's your share."

Hermione snapped her eyes to him. As she looked back down at the check in her hands she sighed and shook her head. "I can't accept it."

"But-"

"I know what I said before, but I was mad then." Hermione handed Draco the check back and continued shaking her head. "I don't want it."

"You must want something." Draco replied. He shrugged and leaned against the door frame. "You worked hard. You should get something out of all of this, not just me."

"I'm sorry, but there's nothing that I want, really." Hermione replied. "I didn't even want to keep the trophy until you forced it into my hands." She chuckled. She sighed, awkwardly standing in front of Draco who hadn't taken his eyes off of her the moment she had opened the door. After another scary moment of silence, Hermione dared to say one thing. "…Maybe…there's one thing that I wouldn't mind from you. Well, two…"

"Two?" Draco repeated. Hermione nodded.

"The first is an answer. I once asked you if I was as good as you thought I was when you first saw me dance. You said you'd tell me when we won."

"Right…" Draco said as he rubbed the back of his neck. He ungentlemanly sucked his teeth, took a deep breath, and slowly began to shake his head. "No… You were better."

Hermione smiled as Draco blushed terribly. "Alright, what's the second thing?"

Hermione's smile widened. That "second thing" was the last thing that Draco had expected. Her request was to be her escort to her best friend's wedding. Naturally, Draco protested, but they compromised. He would show up for the reception, which he did, and characteristically complained in Hermione's ear.

"Explain to me why I'm doing this again?"

"Because you like me, remember?" Hermione teased.

Draco rolled his eyes. "Tell a woman you like her and you're under her thumb in a heartbeat."

Hermione laughed. "Oh, just shut up and dance with me."

Draco smiled and agreed. Yes there were looks. Yes, there were whispers. But they were easy to ignore. Dancing with Hermione always made other people disappear. And so it was settled. And so Draco told her so.

All they had to do was keep dancing. Dance for peace. Dance for solitude.

Author's note: Well, everyone, that's the end of my fic. Just wanted to say thanks for reading/reviewing and I hope that you enjoyed it! Feel free to check out my other story, One Week.

Thanks!

-WP