Disclaimer: Harry Potter is not mine.

Author's Note: So, I read a couple other fanfics, for the first time in several months, and I am actually getting excited about ending this story. Is that bad? But I've been getting a lot of new ideas, but I want to have this one finished before I start anything else. The dance will be in this chapter, btw. Please review! Not sure if I like this chapter too much. Hope you guys do!

Chapter Twenty-Five

Hermione smoothed out an imaginary wrinkle in her red dress. The dress hit a few inches above her knees, was strapless, and had a heart-shaped neckline. It molded to her curves and flared out a bit at the hem. Her long hair was transformed magically: it was cut to about shoulder length, was pin-straight, and was a strawberry blonde. Her mask was a simple black but added to her allure.

Hermione turned away from the full-length mirror and looked at Ginny, who was lounging on her bed. "How do I look?" she asked, nervous.

Ginny gave her a once-over. "Would it be weird to say that, if I didn't have a thing for guys, I would totally want to shag you right now?"

"A little," Hermione said, shrugging. "But thanks."

The two girls were getting ready for the masquerade ball. It was about twenty minutes before the dance was to start. Ginny was wearing a short pink dress. The skirt had layers of ruffles under it, and flared out like a tutu. It was a halter with thick straps that tied behind her neck. Her long hair, which was as black as the night sky, hid the slim knot and cascaded down her back in waves. Her mask was more elaborate than Hermione's: it was pink, with a black outline and small black flowers on the fabric.

Ginny got up and stood next to Hermione. "Are you excited?" she asked, wrapping her arm around her friend's waist.

"Yeah. But I'm also a little nervous. This will probably be the longest time I will have spent with both Draco and Blaise, in the same room. I'm afraid all the tension will make the roof cave in."

"Well, you'll be the only one who can feel the tension, so, if you are able to make the roof cave alone, then I admire your amazing skills. Also, I'm a little scared, and feel like I shouldn't get on your bad side." Hermione smiled and gave her friend a quick hug.

"I guess I should go the Great Hall, and meet up with Draco. Are you going to go with Harry and Ron?" Ginny nodded. "How are things with Harry?" Hermione asked, concerned. "I mean, does he still, you know, like me?"

Ginny thought for a moment. "I'm not sure. I think there was this girl that he was hanging out with a lot during break, but I don't know if he's totally over you." Hermione scrunched her face in concentration, worried. "Get off it, Hermione," Ginny said, smacking her on the arm. "We're not worrying Harry right now. You're going to have a great time at this dance and we will spend the next three days dissecting everything that happened. Okay?" Hermione nodded, smiling.

Ginny gave Hermione a quick hug then left her dorm, to go meet up with Harry and Ron in the Gryffindor common room. Hermione turned to the mirror again and gave herself a weak smile. "Ginny's right. Everything is going to be fine." She wasn't sure if she believed herself.

Hermione met up with Draco in the Great Hall. All the tables were pushed back, filled with food, and a DJ was set up where the teachers ate, getting his music ready. The lights were dimmed, and snow was falling magically from the ceiling. It stopped about a foot before really hitting anyone.

Draco was wearing a dark green suit that was tight in all the right places. His mask was dark green, with black snakes outlining it. His blonde hair was now a dark brown, and curly.

Hermione smirked. "I don't think wearing green and snakes is really going to fool anyone, Draco."

He didn't respond. He was barely getting over how she looked. He had never seen her in anything as hot as the dress and he wasn't sure how it was making him feel. He loved her in it and wanted to see what it would look like on his bedroom floor, but he was also feeling extremely protective and didn't want to let any other guy see her like that. Finally, he plastered a smirk on his face.

"I was hoping that the dark hair would throw people for a loop," he said, touching a ringlet.

"Well, you look great," Hermione said, taking a step closer. "I think I like the blonde better, though."

After making sure everything was in its place and ready, they opened the doors to the school. They got separated and Hermione went looking for Blaise. Instead, she found Ginny.

"Hey, Gin, have you seen Blaise?" Hermione asked, her voice loud so it could be heard over the music.

"Yeah, he's wearing a black suit and a black mask, and his hair is light brown. He actually looks quite hot."

Hermione smiled. "Help me find him?" Ginny linked her arm in Hermione's and they went off in search of the latter's boyfriend.

On the other side of the room, Draco was dancing with some sixth year. Surprisingly (or maybe not), Draco was a great dancer, and the girl was practically hanging off of him. He had made a decision back in the common room: he was going to forget about Hermione, if only for the night. He did love her but it wasn't good for him to be pinning after her, especially if she wasn't going to return his feelings.

The song ended and the girl leaned close to Draco's ear. "If you want, we can go back to my dorm and see what else you're good at." Her hand drifted down his chest, getting closer to his crotch. Draco smirked and grabbed her hand. He kissed her palm.

"Maybe some other time," he said, his voice low and husky. She nearly fell over and he handed her off to some other guy who looked lonely. He moved over to one of the tables and grabbed a glass of punch. He took a sip, swished the drink around in his mouth a bit, then smirked before swallowing. Someone had spiked the punch with fire whiskey. He knew he should probably empty and refill all the bowls, but he was having too much fun. He downed the rest of the drink in one gulp and went off in search of another dance partner.

Meanwhile, Hermione was dancing provocatively with Blaise, whom she had found very quickly. Blaise was surprised at how good of a dancer Hermione was, but she had been surprising him a lot lately. He was also very good and people kept glancing over in their direction, smirking. It was always fun when someone of high power (Hermione) let loose so much when she didn't think anyone was watching.

They danced together for a few more songs, then Hermione announced she was going to get something to drink. Blaise went in search of some food and Hermione walked over to a table that had spiked punch. Draco was leaning against the table and watched her walk over.

"Draco, right?" Hermione asked, a little unsure.

Draco nodded, smiling. "It is kind of hard to tell if someone is who you think they are." Hermione smiled and reached for a cup of punch. "It's spiked," Draco said, reaching out to stop her. Hermione smirked at him and downed the cup in one gulp.

"Just the way I like it," she said, setting down the cup. "So, how do you think everything is going?"

"Great," he said, surveying the dance. "Everyone seems to be having fun. And I think the spiked punch is really adding to everyone's fun."

Hermione smiled. She grabbed Draco's hand. "Let's dance," she said, leading him out to the dance floor.

The dance continued on like this for a few more hours. Everyone continued to get drunker and Hermione, being slightly buzzed, didn't try to stop it. She had limited herself to three cups of punch (the cups were small) and was glad she had. She didn't want to act like some of her classmates.

Ginny was on the other side of the room, scanning the dance for someone to dance with. She was in the stage between tipsy and drunk, and knew that it would probably be a good idea to stop drinking the punch. She noticed a very attractive guy, wearing a dark suit, leaning against the wall, and walked over to him. He also saw Ginny coming (he's Blaise), but mistook her for Hermione. He was tipsy, and, in the back of his mind, realized that Hermione's dress was red, and this girl's dress was pink, but he didn't care.

"Hey, cutie," Ginny said, grabbing his hand. "Dance with me?" She led him out to the dance floor, and they began to dance slowly.

Ginny, who Blaise thought was Hermione, felt unfamiliar in his arms, but he didn't care. He pulled her closer to him and tightened his hold on her. Suddenly, she looked up into his eyes. He leaned close to her and planted his lips on hers. She responded, but something didn't feel right to Blaise. He pulled away.

"Hermione?" he asked, confused.

Shock registered on Ginny's face as she shook her head. "Blaise?" she asked, her voice tiny. He nodded and they pulled away from each other quickly. They both spun on their heels and hurried off in the opposite direction.

On the other side of the room, Hermione and Draco were slow dancing. He held her close, and she didn't pull away. Suddenly, taking a risk, Draco pulled Hermione's face up with his hand and kissed her. She struggled a bit, but then responded. She was either too drunk or too tired to care that she was kissing Draco. Either way, he loved it, and wrapped his arms tightly around her. She slipped her tongue into his mouth and ground her hips against his.

Draco whimpered when Hermione pulled away from him. She looked at him, then pulled out of his grasp. He watched her scurry away and sighed. He really needed to learn to control himself better around her.