Draco lay on his bed in a daze, reliving the events of the evening over and over. He couldn't get the clever witch out of his mind. He could still feel her warm waist under his hand, her hair tickling his chin as they swayed to the music. Never before had Draco felt as alive as when he had been with her. He craved more. He, Draco Malfoy, craved Hermione Granger's company. Hermione. Maybe it was about time that he started calling her that he thought dreamily. He frowned. Maybe then, he might have a chance. The situation in the movie theatre flitted through his mind. Heaving a great sigh, he rolled over and tried to sleep.
Hermione rolled out of the bed the next morning feeling slightly disoriented. When she caught sight of the discarded dress hanging over the back of her chair where she'd hastily put it the night before in her desire to get to bed, it all came rushing back. Dinner…dancing…the movie….ohhh. Her face felt distinctly hot at the way she and Draco had been the night before…there was no doubt about it, they had both been flirtatious. What could this all mean? Her incredibly logical mind wouldn't allow her to accept the only viable explanation—that she, Hermione Granger, and he, Draco Malfoy, were falling for one another. With a start, she realized that her first class of the day was Adjustments. She didn't know how she felt about that. But school was school, and she was ever the bookworm, so she dutifully packed her bag and headed down to grab a bite of breakfast.
Being as late as she was, Hermione only had time to grab a couple of pieces of toast and eat them on the way to class. All of her friends had already eaten and gone so she was saved from having to talk about her evening with them, something for which she was incredibly grateful. She was so lost in thought that it took her a moment to process the sight that beheld her when she got to class. When she did however, she stopped short, in disbelief at what she was seeing.
Ginny and Pansy were standing at the front of the class, poring over a sheaf of parchment….cordially. They were actually getting along! Sitting resignedly in her seat next to Draco, she glanced at him apprehensively, deciding to gage her mood from his.
"Morning Sleepyhead!" he said fairly cheerfully.
The butterflies in her stomach that always seemed to present themselves when she found herself in his presence fluttered as she saw that she hadn't imagined the night before and that he was continuing to be friendly to her.
"Good morning," she smiled shyly.
"So, I survived," he laughed.
Hesitating momentarily, she found her courage and answered, "I knew you could do it."
Draco's stomach fluttered at her words. He tried not to let his hope soar, he was so accustomed to disappointment that he had learned to be presently surprised when things worked out instead of devastated when they didn't. Neither of them said anything after that, preferring to just sit comfortably in each other's company.
McGonagall soon called the class to attention, announcing that Ginny and Pansy had something to share with the class.
"As our project for this class, Weaslette and—" Pansy was interrupted by Professor McGonagall clearing her throat pointedly.
"Ginny," Pansy bit out through gritted teeth, "and I will be planning a (she cast a glance at Professor McGonagall) ….little get together for all of us."
"It will be this coming Friday in the room of requirement." Ginny continued. "Dress fun, and please do attend—I promise it will be a blast!" She grinned, looking distinctly excited. She and Pansy actually shared a small smile.
"Now," Professor McGonagall began, "I want to make it very clear that you are all to be on your best behavior. School rules still apply to this party, and anyone participating in something against the rules will be punished accordingly. Do I make myself clear?"
"Of course Professor," Ginny replied innocently. When McGonagall turned her head however, Ginny slyly showed Hermione her hand, fingers crossed.
Hermione gulped. She had found and destroyed horcruxes, fought hordes of death eaters, yet was terrified at the notion of playing truth or dare or spin the bottle or some other such game. To makes matters worse, there was sure to be some magical spin on the game. She threw a sideways glance at Draco. What if she was forced to reveal her quickly-developing feelings?
xxxxx
Friday came quickly. Before he knew it, Draco found himself heading to the room of requirement, a battle raging in his head. If the opportunity presented itself, would he take it? He very much wanted to, but was unsure not only of Hermione's reaction, but also of his classmates. He didn't think that Potty and Weasel would be too pleased to find their counterpart romantically involved with him, nor was he sure that his fellow Slytherins would be too happy. While some of them were getting along fairly well with their partner, being friendly was a lot different than dating. Draco wasn't sure that he could do it. By this point, he had reached the room. Taking a deep breath and steeling himself, Draco pushed open the door that had materialized and entered, unsure of what to expect.
He was momentarily taken aback by what he saw. Pansy and the Weaslette had outdone themselves. The majority of the room, which was quite large for the occasion, seemed to be club-style. The floors were a sparkling black, and there was a bar at which many of the seventh years seemed to be hanging out. There was a dance floor, and pulsating music that seemed to be coming from nowhere. Different coloured fairies flitted around, providing some fun light, as well as streamers and candles that floated through the air of their own accord, creating a very cool effect. There were chairs, couches and tables stationed strategically around the area. Turning around, Draco saw that in the far corner there was a little area with a completely different style and mood. The area was lit up, and had several comfy couches placed to form a circle. There was also a fireplace which crackled merrily. Looking more closely, Draco saw several boxes of butterbeer, flasks of firewhisky, and a flask which contained a clear liquid, Draco recognized it as Veritaserum. Gulping, he realized that there would indeed be party games being played tonight. Normally he was the one initiating these games, but not tonight, not with what was happening between himself and Hermione, whatever it was.
Upon this realization, Draco decided that he needed a drink. Heading over to the bar, he considered the menu for a moment before deciding to begin with a shot of firewhisky. Instantly, a shot appeared on the bar in front of him. Catching Blaise's eye, he grinned and mouthed, "I could get used to this."
Blaise returned the smile, before returning to the conversation he had been having with Harry.
"Well, if we play any games, I certainly hope they don't divide us into our partners. There's no way in hell I'm doing any lip lockingj with you Zabini!"
"You don't know what you're missing Potter," Blaise joked.
"Not much I'm sure," Harry smirked. "Oh hey babe!" he said, his face breaking into a wide smile as Ginny leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. "Amazing job you guys have done!" he raved to her and Pansy, who had appeared at Ginny's side.
"Yes, quite a bash ladies," Blaise said as sincerely as a Slytherin could.
To everyone's surprise, possibly even her own, Pansy responded by saying, "The floor and floating streamers and candles were Ginny's idea—it's totally what completed the look!"
"Well you're the one who came up with using the room's charm to have the serve-yourself bar!" Ginny exclaimed.
Harry and Blaise's jaws could not have dropped any more than they had.
"Oh stop catching flies and come dance!" Ginny snapped exasperatedly at her boyfriend.
"They're not so bad are they?" Pansy asked Blaise reluctantly, observing the happy Gryffindor pair.
"Not at all," Blaise replied. "I wonder how Drake is doing with Granger though. I would normally say that I don't think that one has a hope in hell, but then again, I just saw you voluntarily compliment Ginny Weasley so who knows."
Pansy growled at him.
"There you go, I was starting to worry that you'd lost all of your Slytheriness."
"Shut up Zabini, I'm warning you!"
xxxxx
Pansy and Ginny weren't the only ones getting along. Draco had finally found Hermione, who was talking to Dean Thomas. Draco had felt a rush of jealousy, and had engaged her the soonest chance he got. They were now once again engaged in a heated debate, this time about the OWL marking system. Draco believed they should be abolished. Hermione was defending the examination system extraordinarily passionately. Thankfully, (for everyone else,) Pansy soon interrupted to inform the room that the 'fun' part of the party would begin shortly. Avoiding each other's eye contact, they dutifully joined their classmates in forming a circle in the fireplace section of the room. It was time. It was now or never, good or bad.