Oi! Granger

Chapter Eight: Dancing With The Devil (PTII)

AN: So this will be a ridiculously long chapter because I haven't updated since November, and I'm a bad, bad, bad person. The story will be cut into three sections. The Gym Class…Interlude…The Winter Ball.

WARNING: THIS IS A LONG ASS CHAPTER! SO GO GET SOME COOKIES OR SOMETHING BECAUSE YOU WILL BE READING THIS FOR SOME TIME!!! (Laughs like a villain).

(Some Good Old Humor in this Chapter!)

The first fall of snow fell upon Hogwarts in mid November, surprising many due to its late arrival. One could often catch Hermione sitting in front of her fire, her legs drawn to her chest in quiet reflection. Draco would be somewhere near, a mug of steaming tea warming his pale physique. He would sometimes come over to kiss her on the face, or gingerly play with her curling hair.

THE GYM CLASS

An abandoned class room had been enlarged and decorated like a muggle-style gym. There were basketball hoops, climbing bars, padded mats, footballs, soccer balls, jump ropes and so much more. Hermione entered the room, her mouth agape with shock as Madame Hooch came from behind her and clapped a calloused hand on her shoulder.

"Go gear up, you're introducing the class in about half an hour."

Hermione did was she was told and found her way to an adjacent room that was the girls locker room. She entered the misty room, showers on the far side, and new lockers with student's names printed across them. Hermione found her own locker and opened it.

Inside was a small rectangular box, new trainers, hair clips and bands.

"You look like you're in shock, Granger."

"I just never thought I'd be going to gym at Hogwarts…"

"I don't even know why muggles do such things."

"It's for health reasons, Draco." Hermione turned around with the box in her hands. "You should get out of here, Hooch said students should be arriving in half an hour, and we need to get ready to introduce the curriculum to them!" she said shrilly. Draco raised his hands as if to make peace.

"Okay Miss Granger! I'm leaving!" Draco said with mocked anger. Hermione smirked as he slammed the door to the girls' locker room. She sat down on the bench in the middle of the locker area and opened the box.

"What the—"

-----

Draco walked into the student filled gym in nothing but navy-blue gym shorts, white trainers and a gray t-shirt with the words "HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY" printed across it in black, the school logo underneath it. He stopped dead in his tracks however, when he saw the group of girls in the far corner of the gym.

Their uniform consisted of tight, spandex shorts that stopped about an inch and a half pass their bums, and their shirts were tight.

In the middle of the group was Hermione, her hair pulled up into the cutest ponytail he'd ever seen, a large yellow clip holding her sweeping bangs in place, a giant smile plastered on her face as she showed Ginny Weasley how to jump rope. When she began to jump, her face flustered and her breasts began moving, he nearly died.

"I know mate, it's quite a sight. I think I'll be acing this class…" Blaise came from behind and said. Draco jumped when he felt his friend's hand fall roughly on his shoulder. "I'm jealous of your calves, if I may say so."

Draco smirked and looked down at Blaise's calves, they weren't as define as his. "Well mate, you never really put much effort in your Quidditch training," Draco said with a sniff. Blaise sneered as Draco continued. "I care a lot about my body, as you can see…I like to exercise, style my hair, and tan when burning is not an issue…"

"You're basically a bloody poof!" shouted Ron Weasley, who was walking by with Harry, who nudged him in the rib.

"Ron! Stop it…you promised Hermione—"

"I know what I said Harry!" Ron growled. He glanced back at Draco.

Ron's shirt did extreme justice to his body. It showed off the v-shape of his torso, and his pumped biceps flexed menacingly at Draco.

"Er…" Draco took a step back from the giant.

"Hullo Malfoy," Harry said quickly, pushing Ron along.

"Potter," he said with a nod.

Hermione had hopped over to Draco now, grabbing his arm roughly and pressing it against her chest and stomach in excitement. Her cheeks were flushed.

"I haven't jump roped since I was a little girl!" she exclaimed, giving Draco an excited look. She then spotted the disgusted look Ron was giving her, and the confused one Harry had plastered on his face.

"Anyways Malfoy," Hermione said, composing herself and releasing his arm. "We have to introduce this class."

"I know."

"Well, I guess we should rally everyone up…" she took a step back from her friends and moved to climb up the stairs that led to an open stage. "Okay! Hi everyone, can I please get your attention?!" she shouted. She had left her wand in her locker, and wasn't able to charm her voice to make it louder. Draco smiled at her. "Okay, hopefully you all can hear me; this is strictly a no-magic-allowed class!" Her comment was met with many groans. "Draco and I would like to introduce this new established class at Hogwarts. You should all be very proud that the school has adopted such a complex and important class that will not only test your physique, but your knowledge and acceptance of the muggle world!" Hermione said cheerfully. She began to clap her hands, the other boys and girls following her lead. Draco cleared his throat.

"Most of you know this, but Dumbledore is really stressing the importance of unity this year," his bored appearance was accentuated as he crossed his arms over his chest. "So you should all take heed to Madame Hooch, who has been trained in the muggle schools for two months during the summer to learn how to teach us to her fullest ability." Hermione nodded, a giant smile turning into a grin.

"So now, I'd like to hand this over to Madame Hooch, our new PE professor!" she was leaving the stage when she stumbled, and Draco quickly grabbed her elbow. Although the exchange between the two was hardly noticeable, Hermione's blush and Draco's wolfish grin did not escape the eyes of a one Ronald B. Weasley.

"Thanks, love," she whispered, straightening herself up to finish walking down the stairs.

"START YOUR STATIONS!" Hooch shouted, blowing her whistle.

"Shake your bum, Miss Granger!" Draco whispered as he passed Hermione while doing laps around the gym with a group of boys. She was on the sidelines stretching for her run also. She smiled as she faced away from the running boys and bent over, giving anyone a good view of her assets. She caused a ruckus, seeing that Draco and a few other boys had stumbled in their running, skidding across the waxy wood of the gym. She turned and saw Draco sprawled out on the ground.

"OH MERLIN!" she cried, running over to him. He was staring up at the ceiling, his eyes scrunched closed in silent pain. The rest of the group was still running in circles around them, amused but still keen on their task at hand.

She rested a hand on his chest, and he sat up. She could see the purple bruise swelling on his elbow.

"Damn it, Wench…you always know how to make me hurt in some kind of way," he hissed, but smirked all the same. She realized the entire class was staring, and even curious Hooch hadn't placed her whistle in her mouth, looking at what would happen next. Hermione cleared her throat and stood.

"Malfoy, I would appreciate it if you refrain from outlandish acts that might jeopardize this class! No more foolish games! Ten points from Slytherin!" she said coldly. He narrowed his eyes up at her, still nursing his wound.

"Sod off Granger!" he bellowed, but not without a secret wink. Hermione placed her hands on her hips and waited for Draco to stand up. She turned and nodded to Hooch.

"BACK TO WORK!" the woman bellowed, blowing her whistle. "MALFOY! GO TO THE HOSPITAL WING! MS. GRANGER, GO WITH HIM!"

Hermione hid her happiness with a cool mask of disgust, earning approval from her Gryffindor comrades, even Ron, and nasty looks from Slytherin.

When they were in the hall alone together, Draco yanked Hermione to him roughly, kissing her passionately before pulling away from her.

"I've wanted to do that for awhile now."

"I can tell, sweetheart."

"Good, because I want to ravish you, right here…" he muttered, nipping at her earlobe gently while backing her into a window. She giggled, biting back a moan.

"Malfoy! I beg you to stop!" Hermione hissed as she closed her eyes, annoyed. Draco began to place feathery kisses down her neck. She smirked. "No reaction!" Draco immediately pulled back, glaring. "DAMN IT GRANGER! ALWAYS THE LITTLE VIRGIN!"

"I know how to keep a man interested," she whispered, pushing him away lightly. She traced his strong jaw with a light finger, admiring the shiver that came from him. She was happy to know that only she could do that to him, make him feel so vulnerable and raw.

"You've certainly got me, Granger. Now what are you going to do with me?" he whispered, his eyes bright with laughter. She smiled and stepped away from the wall, taking off down the corridor.

"What I'm going to do to you is take you to the Infirmary…follow along!" she called out. Draco swore and ran after her.

THE BREAKFAST CLUB BLUES (INTERLUDE)

The Christmas Break had come early, and Hermione had a whole three weeks to spend with Draco before getting whisked away for Head Girl duties and her attention-depraved friends. Sometimes they would be wrapped together in a single quilt, holding each other in either ones bed, sleeping.

Hermione grimaced, leaning over the plans for the upcoming ball. She pulled out a quill and neatly wrote in some instructions for arranging décor. She sat back and smiled at her handiwork. She looked up when she saw Draco quietly entering their library, wearing flannel pajamas and a t-shirt. She smiled.

"Hey," she whispered. He came around the desk, wrapping an arm around her waist.

"I was wondering where you were," he said, his voice a low rumble. It was deep and thick. She shivered.

"Are you hungry?" He asked, releasing her to walk around the table to view the plans. He briefly ran over the arrangements, before picking up a spare quill with his left hand and scribbling something in the corner.

"Aye, I am…Draco…have you realized something?" Hermione asked, turning to face him. He shook his head in the negative.

"I haven't, what is it?" he glanced up at her.

"I…" she started, a blush rising to her cheeks. "I haven't felt you recently."

"Well, all you had to do was ask," Draco said slyly, walking up to her, the quill laying forgotten on the table. She shook her head.

"Um, no…not that! I mean our bond, our magical bond. I haven't felt it! It's gone." Draco smiled.

"Why are you worried about it? Do you know what this means?" he asked. She shrugged. "It means we have an actual connection." Hermione smiled.

"Oh, Draco, this is great!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him on the lips. "For a minute there, I thought we had done something horrendously wrong." Beaming, he took hold of her hand and led her out of the library towards the portrait.

Having skipped dinner earlier, they made their way to the Kitchens, Hermione bringing along a few sickles for the House Elves.

"Why are you going to pay them?" Draco asked. "And what the hell is Spew?"

"It's not spew it's S.P.E.W! It's my organization for equal rights and protection for house elves," she said with a triumphant grin.

"But House elves don't want protection or equal rights; it's in their nature to serve."

"They're not slaves Draco! Haven't you ever learned about slavery? It's horrible."

"Slavery? You mean it's happened to people?" Draco asked with bewilderment. Hermione shook her head in frustration.

"I thought you took Muggle Studies!"

"I did, but I forgot everything I studied…I mean, what the hell is a telly, right?"

"A telly is very cool; if you would have studied…it's for entertainment purposes. You can watch shows on it. Drama, Romance, Comedy."

"I get enough of that off telly, if you ask me." They reached their destination and he tickled the pear, opening the Kitchen. Hermione stepped in, laughing at Draco's comment.

"Hermione?"

"Ron?"

"Hermione?

"Harry?"

"Hey Hermione!"

"Hullo Gin."

"Wow…this isn't good," Draco said, stepping into the kitchen. They entered the Kitchen completely, the smile that was previously on Hermione's face gone. Draco stood next to her and began to softly whistle to himself. "We're in deep shite Granger," he whispered in between his whistles. Hermione gawked.

"What the hell are you doing with Malfoy, Hermione?" Ron barked. Hermione shrugged.

"He offered to take me to the kitchen since I wasn't at dinner. Is that so wrong for me to be hungry?"

"No! But it's wrong for that prick to be taking you anywhere. What if he hurts you?"

"Why would I hurt Granger, Weasley?"

"Because you're a prick!" he retaliated.

"Ron, maybe you should let it go…" Harry started. "It's Hermione's business what she does…"

"Not if it's dealing with Malfoy! This is completely wrong Harry, and you know it!" Hermione cringed at Ron's rising tone. She didn't want this to turn into some spiraling fist fight…or worse, some duel, which would surely leave one of them in the hospital wing. And Hermione knew that person would definitely be Ron. She walked over to him, placing both her hands on his shoulders, pulling him down slightly.

"Ron, please. He was just taking me to get something to eat…if…if it matters so much to you, I'll tell him to leave," she whispered softly. Ron suddenly quieted, nodding in agreement with her. She turned around and faced Draco.

"Well, thanks for walking me here Malfoy, but I think it's time you left."

"What?

"She said step off, Malfoy!" Ron shouted from behind. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Like I said, thanks for the walk, now you can go."

Draco gave Hermione a terse, hard glare before turning around to leave.

"Good boy, ferret-face…" Ron growled. Draco stopped in his tracks, his left hand itching to grasp his wand.

"Ron—" Hermione warned.

"Oh, come off it Hermione! He's a no-good filthy ex-Death Eater with barely a dick to grab on to for support," Ron said rudely. Hermione gasped, and before she knew it, Draco had pulled out his wand, pointing it directly at Ron's chest. Ron had whipped his wand out also.

"Fuck you, Weasel!" Draco roared. He sent a disarming charm Ron's way, knocking the redhead back several feet. At that very moment, Ron had sent the same spell, which sent Draco crashing into the portrait, creating a loud thud as he collided into it. Hermione and Ginny screamed, and Harry quickly ran to Ron's side.

"Draco!" Hermione cried.

"Hermione!" Ron whimpered in anger.

"Ron!" Harry boomed in fear.

"Harry!" Ginny shouted in concern.

"Ginny?" Harry turned in question.

"MR. WEASLEY!"

The five students turned their heads to see Professor McGonagall standing in her sleeping gown and robes.

"Fuck," Ron swore. Harry clapped his hand over Ron's mouth before he could say anything else.

"You…you…" she stared icily at Draco and Hermione. "All of you are out of bed pass curfew!"

"Well you see Professor…" Draco started, but was cut off.

"—You two are Heads!" she cried in disbelief. "Do you want to be stripped of your badges?" she hissed. Hermione paled.

"Oh no…please Professor…it was an accident!"

"FIFTY POINTS AWAY FROM BOTH HOUSES!" she roared, "And Saturday detention!" Hermione gasped.

"There hasn't been a Saturday detention in…decades..." Hermione whispered.

"Correct, Miss Granger! But this has been the punishment for Heads who have broken the rules. You will be in detention for eight hours. I want you all to EVACUATE this kitchen immediately, and I will see you tomorrow at eight am for detention!" she stepped out of the kitchen, watching as the students filed out of the kitchen to head back to their respective dorms.

Eight am came sooner than they thought.

Hermione had decided to grab a muggle Thriller novel her mum had sent her a few days ago to read during detention, while Draco brought nothing. Upon exiting the dorm, there was a rather large note on the door of the exit, explaining that detention was being held in the Dungeons with Professor Snape.

"Great, we're being babysitted by Snape," Hermione moaned. Draco shrugged.

"He'll go easy on me," he said cheerfully, pushing open the portrait door. Hermione scowled.

"Oh whatever," Hermione huffed. "What the hell am I going to do for eight hours?" Draco smirked.

"I have some ideas…" Draco said with a wink. Hermione glared.

"I don't think that's going to happen, Malfoy!"

They quickly made their way to the Great Hall to eat as much as they can, not worrying about if anyone saw them together. Ron, Harry and Ginny were not there, and only two other students had stayed behind for the first half of the Holidays until the Ball. After eating, they slouched their way to the freezing dungeons.

Before Hermione could open the door to the Potions Room, Snape had yanked it open, his face dark and scary, making Hermione recoil from her stance and fall back into the hard, always-comforting chest of Draco. "You're late," he growled. Hermione gulped, recovering from the scare.

"Sorry Professor, we had a slight inconvenience this morning," Draco drawled. Snape turned his cold black eyes to Draco.

"What?" he snapped. "I don't care if you were battling the Giant Squid. You were supposed to be here at eight. Now get inside and take your seats!" he roared. Draco looked slighted, trying hard to cover his surprise and hurt as he entered the room after Hermione. She smirked at him.

"'Easy on you' my arse."

"Cram it, Granger," he muttered, taking a seat in the middle of the room as she perched herself in the front. She had turned to see that her three friends were also scattered about the room, as far away from each other as possible. Snape stood in the front of the room.

"You brats will be in here until noon. When that time arrive, you will have ten minutes…yes! Ten minutes to go to the Great Hall and grab something to eat." His comment was met with a loud groan, coming from Ron. He needed at least an hour to eat and become full. "Twenty point from Gryffindor Weasley, for your lack of respect…" Snape drawled, his lips turning up into a sneer. "You will then come back to this room and leave at four."

Hermione raised her hand. Snape ignored her.

"Please, one at a time, turn in your wand," Snape ordered. He pointed to Harry first. "And if I get any wind of you using wandless magic, you will never have a free period for the rest of your time here at Hogwarts, do you understand Potter? You'll be scrubbing this very room!" Harry nodded, deciding to stand first and turn over his precious wand. Next was Ron, then Ginny. Draco frowned and turned in his wand with much hesitation, leaving Hermione to turn in her wand. She did so without a care, giving a careless sniff as she stood to give the Professor her wand. Before going back to her seat, Snape had snatched the book from out of her hands.

"I don't think so Miss Granger." Suddenly, the book disappeared into thin air.

"Hey! My mum gave me that!"

"I don't care, Miss Granger. You'll get it back at four!" he scolded the bushy-haired girl as she silently and dejectedly took her seat. "I want no messing around. You're to stay quiet, and think about all the foolish tricks and mistakes you lot make here at this prestigious school. Every mistake or trick you do diminishes this schools reputation…so just think about it. I'll see you at noon." With that, Snape left the room.

"This is your fucking fault, Malfoy!" Ron barked.

"Oh yeah? You're the imbecile that can't keep his mouth shut!"

"Is that all you got?" Ron hissed.

"Fuck you okay?"

"Can you guys just stop? Snape might come back in…" Ginny asked.

"I don't care!" the two boys shouted in unison.

"I TOLD YOU BRATS TO BE QUIET!" Snape had re-entered the room. The students quieted down, and Hermione pursed her lips at the reproachful look Snape was throwing in her direction. She didn't even do anything. "Now…the rest of the students today will be going to Hogsmeade…and I have just been notified that a new tea shop has opened," Snape started in a deadly voice. His eyes narrowed. "They sell my favorite pastry, and I will be gone for fifteen minutes! If I get any word whatsoever about any type of noise coming from this classroom, I will see to each one of you idiots being chained to the ceiling by your thumbs…I know Filch would love to use the old methods of taming you insolent baboons!" Snape snapped. He glared at Ron, who was turning red. With a last sweep of the classroom, he slammed the door, casting a locking charm as well.

When they could no longer hear his footsteps, they all burst into laughter.

"That old cow," Draco cried, his eyes leaking with tears of mirth, "he's probably going to buy little cakes in the shape of a cauldron or something…Merlin knows he sleeps with a stuffed, plushy cauldron every night!" Harry howled with laughter, as Ron shrieked hysterically.

"That ugly bastard!"

Ginny was still gasping, "I wouldn't be surprised if he did sleep with a stuffed cauldron!"

The laughter died down, and Ron continued to glower in the direction of Draco, having almost forgotten why he was in detention in the first place. Harry scrapped his fingers into the desk mindlessly, and Ginny was humming softly to herself. Hermione fidgeted in her seat, and Draco took an interest in memorizing every flinch that Hermione made.

"Honestly, we could just leave," Harry muttered. Draco snorted.

"And how would we do that, Potter?" Draco asked, resting his chin on his propped up hand. Harry smiled.

"The Marauder's Map, of course."

"The what-what-of-what?" Draco asked. "You have some sort of device that will get us out of here?"

"Harry…do you think it's wise to go off and tell Malfoy of all people about the map?" Ron asked shrilly. Harry shrugged.

"Even if he did tell anyone, who would believe him over me?" Harry asked with a small smile. Draco scowled.

"Always exerting your fame over others, eh Potter?"

"Shove off Malfoy…either you're in or you're out…"

"Definitely in then…"

"Um! Excuse me," Hermione started, turning to stare at the others in the room. "I don't think any of you will be leaving this room!" she said with authority.

"C'mon Hermione," Ron whined. "I'm hungry!"

"Ron, you're going to get us in to more trouble!"

"Why would I do that?" Ron asked, feigning shock. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Because you're being brainless!" she shouted. Ron's eyes flashed with anger.

"What did you say?"

"I said you're being brainless!" she shouted again. Ron stood from his seat.

"Hermione! How could you insult me when…when he's here?" he pointed to Draco.

"What? He's not doing anything!"

"But still! He'll tell everyone!"

"Tell everyone what, Ron?"

"That…err…that…"

"That Hermione Granger put the Weasel in his rightful place—groveling at her feet? Yes, that is something I would spread about the school," Draco drawled.

"Why you son of a whore—" Ron growled. Hermione gasped.

"Ron!" she cried. Ginny was also shocked.

"How disrespectful of you, Ronald!"

"Just shut the bloody fuck up!" he snapped. The two girls fell silent, and Ron once again growled at Draco's bored face.

"Just to let you know, Weasel…my mother's no whore."

"I can't even begin to believe that, Malfoy…seeing as you're a whore yourself."

"I am not a whore…I'm dedicated to one person in my life."

"Oh, and who is that? Your left hand?"

"Ron…" Harry whispered warningly.

"It's none of your business who that person is, Weasel. Just know that she's the most beautiful girl in the world, and she'll never, ever, spare your broke ugly arse a glance." Ron was beyond fuming now. A vein in his forehead began to pulse.

"I bet you she's a whore also!" Ron bellowed. "She's a filthy whore if she decided to waste her time with you!"

"RON!" Hermione cried, hurt.

"What is it?" he snapped. Immediately Hermione straightened herself out, not wanting to give away her slipup.

"Let's stop this argument," she said. "We're not leaving this bloody room, OK?"

-----

Hermione groaned. "Hurry the hell up."

"We're trying Hermione, but Ron is taking too long in the pastry section," Harry whispered back. They were all crunched together in a hidden wall, Harry looking out for Ron in the Kitchens, and Ginny making sure that no one was approaching their detention room with the map. Draco was also in the kitchen, stealing as much food as he can.

"Shhh…" Hermione started. "I hear something…"

"FUCK!" Ginny cried. "Snape is coming this way!"

"We have to go!" Harry hissed. He knocked three times onto the portrait door and out came Ron and Draco, arms filled with food.

"We're fucking blocked," Ginny whispered fearfully.

"What are we going to do?" Ron said frantically.

"Listen, take these," Draco pushed the food into Harry's hands. "You guys leave now, and I'll meet up with Professor Snape now and make up some excuse as to why I'm out of the room. Leave quickly, and don't even stress about it if I don't come back right away, okay?" the Gryffindors nodded.

"How very Gryffindor of you, Malfoy," Hermione said sweetly before running in the opposite direction. Draco drew himself up and approached Snape.

"What the hell are you doing Mr. Malfoy?"

"Sir…er…I needed to use the loo…"

"BACK TO THE ROOM!" he roared, watching as Draco jumped and scrambled away from Snape.

When he had finally made it back to the room, everyone was in their seats, and staring innocently at the door. Draco flinched and took his seat, only noticing minutes later that Snape had followed him.

"Ten points from Gryffindor," he announced.

"But we didn't do anything!" Ron complained.

"I have a feeling you did. Now keep quiet before I make sure you all get another detention." And with that, Snape left the room.

They all sighed. Ron pulled out some crisps.

"Anyone as hungry as I am?" he said with a grin.

THE WINTER BALL

The explanation for the dress was simple: beautiful. Her mother knew exactly how to pick them, and she was grateful for her definitely. She traced the ballroom gown with her hand, the Cinderella-style of it sending nervous chills down her spine. It was a pure white with an icy blue coming up from the bottom of the dress. The threading of the top portion was thick, and woven together to create the prettiest and elegant pattern she's ever seen on a dress. Her mother had sent her a crystal necklace that would sit on her neck and accentuate the bareness of her shoulders with matching earrings. The shoes were everything of a fairytale, being tall, beautiful glass heels. She heard the door open and she looked up from her sitting position on the bed. Ginny had eased her way into the room.

"My God…" she started. "That dress…it's beautiful."

"I know, my mum sent it for me. She remembered the ball and wanted to save me the trouble of finding a dress."

"Lucky you," Ginny whispered, touching the dress fondly. "It's like a fairytale dress…you'll look like a princess…" she said, dazed. Hermione giggled.

"I'm so excited! I can't wait until tomorrow night!"

"You're going with Ron, right?" Ginny asked, letting her hand travel over to the long, crystal necklace. Hermione tilted her head to the side in confusion.

"What? No…I'mgoingwithMalfoy."

"You're what?"

"I'm going with Dra—Malfoy…it's tradition that the Head Boy and Girl go together…"

"I don't remember that rule," Ginny said slowly. Hermione smiled.

"Well, I said the same thing to Dumbledore, but he insisted that Draco and I go together."

"Draco? You're calling him by his given name now? Are you okay Hermione?" Ginny asked, stepping away from the dress and sitting in an armchair.

"Professors orders," she said dismissively.

-----

Hermione fidgeted. She hadn't felt this nervous since she had come down the stairs to see Viktor Krum off to the Yule Ball. But here she was, going to the Winter Ball with Draco Malfoy of all people, in an amazing dress and butterflies in her stomach. The dress fitted her wonderfully, and the shoes gave her a two inch increase in her height. The dress hid her shoes, though. Instead of pinning her hair up, like most girls that would attend the ball, Hermione had allowed her hair to fall angelically over her shoulders and down her back in soft, loose curls, her hair glittering due to glittering hair spray her mother had sent her. She had on little makeup, just silver eye-shadow and gloss to shine her lips. Her shoulders were bare because the dress was strapless, and showed off a considerable amount of her chest. She was wearing matching gloves that came up to her elbows.

She looked like an Ice Queen.

When she finally exited her dorm, she carefully made her way down the spiral stairs to the common room. Upon entering it, she gasped.

Draco was standing by the fire, dressed in a white tuxedo with a silvery-gray shirt. He had a white rose in his hands.

"Merlin…" she started, her body shaking. Draco turned around and when he saw her, dropped the rose.

"My God," he whispered, walking over to the beautiful woman. "You look amazing Hermione, you look…you look…" Draco traveled off in words, and Hermione pressed her lips against his and smiled.

"Are we ready to go?" she asked softly. Draco nodded.

"Oh, wait." He swooped down and picked up the fallen rose and gave it to her. "This is for you," he handed her the white rose and kissed her softly on the cheek. "We're ready to go now," he said sweetly, leading her out of their common room and into the corridor. As they made their way down to the Great Hall, many people gasped to see how beautiful the couple looked together.

"Hermione," Ginny gasped. "You look as if you're getting married," she was beaming as she looked up at Draco. "And you too Malfoy, you both look ready to steal the party." Draco smiled at her and Hermione blushed.

"Really now, we just decided to dress this way because of the theme…"

"A clever theme, actually. Everything made of ice? It's practically icy-looking in there, just freezing," Ginny said, who had waved over Neville, who was sadly dateless. Neville blushed deeply; taken aback by Hermione's beauty and also the fact that he remembered that very crazy day he had seen Hermione Granger in Draco Malfoy's lap, snogging each other senseless in the library.

"You look lovely, Hermione," Neville said shyly. Hermione laughed.

"Thank you, Neville, did you come alone?"

"Yeah, unfortunately…but Gin said she'd keep an eye on me…" Hermione turned to Ginny.

"I'm going with Harry, but I told him I'd meet him down here," she clarified. "And we all know Harry hates dancing, so I'll keep Neville around, you know?" she giggled and tugged Neville away into the Great Hall.

Just then, Ron and Harry appeared. Ron had dropped the arm of his date, Luna Lovegood, when he had seen Hermione.

"Bloody hell," he gasped. "Hermione…you…wait, why is he holding you?" he barked. Harry paled as he watched Hermione turn red.

"Ron! Draco and I are here together…"

"WHAT?"

"She said they're here together," Luna repeated, her voice distant. Ron flinched.

"I heard that, Luna! But I want to know why!"

"Ron, this is not the time," Harry warned. Ron was fuming as he picked up Luna's hand again, brushing pass Hermione and Draco as he entered the Great Hall. Harry quickly shot a look at the tender hold Draco had on Hermione's waist.

"I don't know what's going on Hermione, or what might go on, but…but I trust any and all of your decisions."

Hermione beamed, "thank you Harry…" she whispered. With a curt nod directed towards Draco, Harry entered the Great Hall in search of Ginny.

"Are we ready to announce this to the whole school?" Hermione muttered. Draco flinched. He had completely forgotten that they were supposed to announce their relationship to the school. "I heard the nominations were crazy. Supposedly I'm tied with Pansy Parkinson or something…" she trailed off. Draco was mentally kicking himself. He knew this day would come, but he hadn't expected to fall so madly in love with her. He couldn't embarrass her.

They entered the Great Hall. The enchanted ceiling was showing an eerie night with soft snowflakes falling around them. Ice sculptures decorated the tables of angels and faeries floated near the tables to create light. A misty, wintry fog had taken to the Hall's floor, and Hermione couldn't help but grin at how beautiful everything was. She went over to the stage, where their DJ, Dean Thomas, played some light music to get the mood running. Seamus was happily helping Dean arrange music behind him. Hermione waved.

"Are you ready for the announcements, Hermione?" Dean shouted over the music. "Dumbledore said we should get everything out, announcements, the crowns, the winners…" Dean finished. Hermione nodded. "All right." He pulled his wand out and pressed it against his throat. In a very dark, smooth voice, Dean began to talk, "This is Gryffindor Dean Thomas telling all you wild cats here at Hogwarts that we're about to make some very grand announcements. First, I'd like to tell you all that I am so happy this is our last year!" his comment was met with roars and applauds. "Second, you all know that I'm your loveable DJ, with the help of my best mate, Seamus. Anyways, I'm going to pass the power over to our Head Girl and Boy, Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy!" there was more screaming and applause as Hermione walked across the stage, her wand already pointing to her throat.

"Good evening everyone and welcome to this joyous event!" Hermione said happily, receiving many catcalls and wolf whistles. She blushed and Draco scowled at the male populace in the audience. "Just to let you all know, this has been the start of a fabulous year, and I hope you all enjoy tonight! We will have our Winter King and Queen announced…right now!" she cried. Suddenly, Dumbledore appeared on stage, two crystal crowns floating before him. He didn't need his wand to magnify his voice. The Hall became utterly quiet as Dumbledore smiled down at them. Hermione had taken off her voice charm and moved away from the centre of the stage. The older man smiled.

"This year, we have had the opportunity to have a competition of sorts. In order to have been qualified, you must have been nominated and then voted on to win one of these lovely crowns," Dumbledore said, nodding at the floating crowns. "So…to list our three top finalists for Winter Queen, Hermione Granger, Pansy Parkinson, and Ginny Weasley…please come on stage." There was a murmur of excitement as the two girls came up on stage to join Hermione. Ginny was dressed in a dazzling green ball gown, and Pansy was dressed in a bubblegum pink knee length dress. "For our male contestants…Draco Malfoy, Harry Potter and Blaise Zabini…" Draco shot Blaise an accusing stare as the body sheepishly came onto stage. They stood alongside their dates and Dumbledore smiled as he stood behind the contestants. "The crowns have been enchanted to show us who our winners are, so without further adieu…" Dumbledore flicked his wand and the crowns shot above the six students about five feet. Hermione fidgeted as her mind raced with the thoughts of winning. She would love to have won, but if she didn't, she'd be happy just to know that she had participated. Gently, one of the crowns landed on Hermione's head, making her jump, and the other on Draco's. The hall exploded with cheers and screams as Draco drew Hermione into his arms and kissed her soundly on the lips. Whether it was shock, or just plain excitement, the hall increased in its volume as Draco completely snogged Hermione senseless on stage. The rest of the contestants had clapped for them, Pansy looking slighted as they exited the stage.

"Well," Dumbledore said cheerfully, watching as the young couple continued, "you two will have to pick a song with Mr. Thomas, and will have to lead the school into its first dance of the night…" Dumbledore said, walking off the stage. Draco released Hermione, relishing the blown away look on Hermione's face. Her cheeks were burning.

"Song, Hermione?" Dean asked. Hermione nodded and made her way towards him. She whispered in his ear and he nodded. She then walked over and took Draco's hand and led him to the dance floor.

Far away
this ship is taking me far away
Far away from the memories
of the people who care if I live or die

"You're absolutely lovely, Hermione," he said softly. "I wouldn't change this for anything."

Hermione had rested her head on Draco's chest as they moved rather fluidly across the floor, their hearts beating together.

Draco twirled her as the other students in the hall were allowed to enter the dance floor, dancing with them to their song. She laughed as he pulled her back into his grasp, dipping her low and soon, they had stopped dancing, standing in the centre of the dance floor, Hermione could only see Draco, and Draco could only see Hermione. He pulled her to him, her dress pressing against his legs as he beautifully stared at her, his eyes devastatingly warm. His lips were closing in, and Hermione shivered when they met hers, an electric shock shooting through them as the feeling of completion fluttered over the two star-crossed lovers.

"I love you," he whispered. "I love you and I can't imagine life without you Hermione…you're the most amazing woman I know…" he said quietly, looking down into her eyes. She smiled and kissed him again.

"I love you too Draco. You mean everything to me," she threw her arms around his neck and he twirled her, the song jumping into a louder sound to them.

Hold you in my arms
I just wanted to hold
you in my arms
I just wanted to hold…

The song was over, and Hermione was so furiously blushing at the inquiring looks her peers were giving her as the music jumped into something fast-paced and threateningly sexy. Hermione thought the song was too poppy, and decided to sit it out and get refreshments. She and Draco had found a nice table to sit at as they watched the couples grind against each other.

"Do you want to do that?" Draco asked with a grin. Hermione returned the smile with a quirk of her eyebrows.

"Of course, only if you can handle it," she replied sweetly. Unfortunately, before Draco could answer, Ron Weasley had appeared behind her with his date. He was furious.

"What the fuck is going on?" he hissed rudely. Draco stood from his chair.

"I think you need to calm down, Weasley."

"Ron…"

"SHUT UP!" Ron spat at Draco. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?"

"He didn't do anything to me!"

"YES HE DID!"

"I LOVE HIM!" she cried. "I love him Ron, we love each other."

"I doubt that," said a voice. All four of them turned to see Pansy Parkinson standing beside them all, Blaise next to her.

"Blaise?" Draco asked. The little color that was in his face drained at the painfully guilty look on Blaise's face.

"I'm so sorry Draco…"

"Pansy, don't start…"

"NO!" she bellowed. "I thought you changed, but here you are fucking with people's feelings once again! I don't even care if she is Granger…this is just sick Draco!"

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?" Hermione shouted hysterically. Pansy turned to her.

"Granger…Hermione…I have never really liked you. We both know that. But after shagging the hell out of Blaise, and placing a little spell on him, he told me all I needed to know about this…bet the two had over you. I found it strange that Draco would be hanging around with you so intimately. I know how it feels to be misled by his suggestions and tricks. I was a victim of it last year. I forgave him though. But when I found out more about what was happening here, I couldn't let it continue. I hate you Granger…but not enough to see him take your most precious gift away for some fucking bet!" Hermione bit her lip, looking wildly around at the group of people that had crowded around them. "HE'S USING YOU FOR SEX!" Pansy screamed, tears rolling down her cheeks. It was now Hermione's turn to burst into tears.

"How could you?" she asked.

"I didn't mean it, Hermione…" he whispered. "It was before I really knew you!"

"But I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too, Hermione, please…"

Ron was utterly speechless, and Blaise was also teary-eyed as he watched a horrifying look cross Draco's face. She turned around and fled from the Great Hall, and Draco took after her.

"Leave her alone Malfoy!" Ron cried after him, who was being stopped from running after the two by Harry and Ginny, who had seen the incident unfurling.

Hermione had thrown off her crystal crown, not caring as it shattered against the concrete ground of corridor. She slid down a secret passageway as Draco screamed for her. She wasn't going to backtrack for him.

How did everything become so screwed up? She asked herself as she found herself in an empty hallway. "Fuck!" she cried, sliding down onto the floor in the middle of the corridor, her dress coming out around her like a pool of white fabric. She began to cry into her hands, her heart sinking with every sob.

A long chapter for a much needed update. I'm sorry guys. So, so sorry. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, please review! If You Don't, Hermione Might never Fall In Love Again!

Are you itching for more of my DMHG themed stories? Check out a new "project" I'm working on entitled, "What Dreams May Come" in my story section. Don't feel up to an incredibly long chapter (the story is only one chapter long) please read my oneshot "Imperfection"

I love you all. Thank you so much for your support and your comments. Each time I read them I have tears in my eyes--no joke. You guys are amazing people!

(song lyrics for Draco and Hermione's dance is by Muse, title "Starlight")