Being with Ron again seemed to make things awkward for Hermione. She became afraid to do anything with Harry in front of Ron for fear of hurting his feelings. After trying and failing to explain to Harry her feelings that something was wrong about Ron apologizing, she finally gave in and let things take their course.

Near the end of the month at the yearly thanksgiving dinner Dumbledore made a surprising announcement.

"Attention everybody. I have a very important announcement to make. Next months Hogsmeade trip is to be canceled." Whispers broke out from all third years and up.

"Silence please." Dumbledore bellowed.

"Let me finish. The Hogsmeade trip will be canceled and be replaced with a Hogwarts Christmas dance open to third years and up." Again whispers broke out, this time they were from all the girls. Even Hermione was excited. She hadn't been to a dance since their fourth year Yule Ball.

"Won't this be exciting?" Hermione said swinging around to face Harry and Ron, only to find that Ron was missing.

"Where'd Ron go?" She asked Harry. Harry shrugged.

"After Dumbledore said the trip was canceled he said he had to do something and ran out." Hermione shrugged and she too went back to her dinner. Once all the plates had been cleared Dumbledore stood up to make a final announcement.

"There will be a short trip to Hogsmeade the weekend before the dance for boys and girls to shop for the dance. Have a good night." The hall filed out and for once in her life Hermione couldn't stop talking about something that wasn't from or about a book she had read.

"Won't this be exciting, my dress will have to be perfect and of course mum and dad will have to send money for the dress and I'll do my hair and-"

"Hermione, take a breath." Harry said laughing. He had never seen her like this but was glad that she finally seemed happy. Hermione blushed a little but smiled.

"Oh, I'm sorry Harry. I'm just excited is all." Harry smiled and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead.

"I know you are...Hey, where do you suppose Ron went?"

Ron furiously paced the cold dungeons.

"Where the bloody hell is he?" Ron muttered under his breath.

"He's right here." Said a cold drawl from the shadows.

"It's about time, what do we do with the plan now?" Ron asked. Draco stepped out of the shadows and leaned against the wall across from Ron, shooting him a cold look before speaking.

"We do nothing. I just have to tweak the plan a bit..." Ron scoffed.

"Good luck with that." Draco smiled confidently at Ron.

"Trust me, I have my ways Weasel. I'll take care of it." Ron nodded, saying nothing but turned and left Malfoy in the dungeons.

One week later all third year girls and up filed out of the school, their chatter filling the halls. Ron had decided to tag along with Harry and Hermione. Fred and George have given him some money just to get a new outfit for the dance. Hermione had grown accustomed to Ron tagging along with her and Harry, now everywhere they went he followed. Once they arrived at Hogsmeade Hermione, Harry and Ron went their separate ways. Hermione following the herd of girls making their way to the dress shop and Harry and Ron following the boys.

They planned to meet at noon at the Three Broomsticks for a quick lunch since this trip was cut short. It gave them each 2 hours to get their outfits. Hermione mouth gaped open as she saw the line to the dress shop. The line led out the door and looked to be at least a block long. Hermione sighed and stood at the back of the line. Much to her surprise less than 15 minutes later she was already inside the store. She shook her head when she finally remembered that this wasn't a normal muggle shop.

Ten employees were lined from end to end in the shop while each girl stood on a small platform and described what color, style and fabric they wanted their dress to be. With a flick of their wand the dress was made. Finally Hermione's turn came. She stepped up on the small platform and she was surprised to see the witch in front of her was still smiling and that not a hair on her head was out of place.

"Hello love, what'll it be today?"

Hermione cheerfully skipped out of the dress hop. She carried her dress in a white protective bag. She hadn't realized dress shopping would go so fast. She still had a full hour before she had to meet Harry and Ron.

"Guess I'll head to the Three Broomsticks..." She muttered to herself. As she made her way there she was surprised to see Draco making his way out of town and into the forest to the place they had gone their first date. Hermione turned to walk away, but stopped before she had taken a step. She whirled around and followed Draco into the forest.

As she walked in she couldn't help but notice the forest seemed darker and more sinister than when she had gone through it with Draco. She shivered a little and gripped her dress tighter. The forest seemed to be getting colder. Finally she walked into the clearing and was surprised to see Draco sitting in front of the small pond. She gently set her dress down on a nearby log and quietly walked up behind Draco.

"Draco?" She whispered. Draco spun around, his eyes for wild for a moment before focusing on her.

"Oh, it's just you." He murmured , turning back around to face the pond. Hermione slowly sat next to him on the cold ground.

"So...are you ok?" Hermione asked gently after a few moments of silence.

"Do I bloody look alright?" Draco snapped at her. Hermione pursed her lips and slowly pushed herself off the ground. She quickly picked up her dress and turned to make her way out of the clearing, but stopped and turned around.

"I hope you feel better, if you need to talk I'll be here..." She said quietly. Draco said nothing and didn't even move. Hermione turned and began walking out of the forest. Suddenly she heard leaves and branches crunching behind her and suddenly Draco grabbed her from behind, spinning her around and pressing his lips against hers. Hermione's mind fought for a moment before finally giving in and wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him closer and kissing him deeper. She felt something in his kiss she never felt in Harry's. As quickly as it started it ended and Draco pulled away.

"I've wanted to do that for awhile..." Draco said quietly. Hermione nodded but said nothing. They stood there for a few moments, neither knowing what to say until finally Hermione pulled Draco toward her and pushed her lips against his. He slowly slipped his tongue into her mouth when Hermione slowly pulled away. She gave him an impish grin.

"I've wanted to do that too..." She said. Draco smirked and wrapped his arm around her waist.

"Even though you're a tease," he began.

"I still love you..." Hermione smiled a little not sure she had heard right.

"What'd you say?" She asked innocently.

"I said I loved you." He replied.

"I thought that's what you said." She said as he pulled her into another deep kiss.