Note: Well, here we are, Chapter 3. I`m not very impressed with this chapter, but I`m sure that in time I`ll get where I want to go :P

Disclaimer: Harry Potter is not mine :(

Particular

Chapter 3: Brown, Silver

Hermione threw herself not so gently into a chair by the fire. Ron groaned as he slowly lowered himself down beside Harry. The three of them sat in silence for a moment, blank stares on their faces, as though their brains had turned to mush and would begin leaking out of their ears any moment.

"Bloody hell," Breathed Ron, "How are we going to survive this year? This was only the first week!"

Harry nodded. He looked slightly green, as though the mere mention of the amount of homework they had would send him dashing to the toilets.

Hermione groaned and reached for her bag. "Let's get Professor Binns' essay out of the way first before we go down for dinner."

The two boys reluctantly took out some parchment and dipped their quills. Hermione began to scrawl furiously, her fingers slowly turning black with ink. An hour later, Hermione had nearly finished, Harry had a small two paragraphs and Ron... well, Ron had merely written his name.

"Come on Ron! How do you plan on passing your NEWTs? This isn't kindergarten; you don't get marks for spelling your name correctly."

Ron raised an eyebrow. "What's kindergarten?"

Hermione sighed. "Never mind. Look, do your introduction and conclusion and I'll help you with the body."

Ron grinned. "You're the best Hermione. I'm starving. Is it time for dinner yet?"

Harry laughed gratefully. "It's almost 6. Just a few more minutes."

OoOoO

"Ron, you're eating as though you'll die tomorrow." Ginny declared, gracefully sitting next to Harry and planting a playful kiss on his cheek.

Ron's ears turned red. "Don't do that in public Ginny, people will spread rumours."

Ginny narrowed her eyes. "Doubtful, you dirty hypocrite. When you were with Lavender though, the rumour was that your animagus would be a sucker fish."

Ron's entire face turned a brilliant shade of crimson and he quickly returned his entire focus back to his chicken pie. Hermione blushed in embarrassment for him, remembering how jealous she had been. She thought about the awkward kiss they had shared that summer that told her they should only be friends.

"By the way, Hermione I'm supposed to tell you that Professor Dumbledore wants to see you after dinner."

Hermione turned her head sharply towards Ginny. "What? Why?"

Ginny shrugged. "Something about your Head Girl duties."

Hermione sighed, relieved. "Oh, thanks Ginny. If I'm not back until late, I'll help you tomorrow Ron."

Ron grunted in reply as he stabbed his potato, glaring towards Ginny. Hermione excused herself and walked out of the Great Hall towards Dumbledore's office. She caught sight of shiny blonde hair ahead of her.

"Malfoy!" She called, rushing to catch up to him.

He turned and saw her. "Hello Granger, I suppose you've been called away too?"

Hermione nodded, falling into step with him. "I'm not very pleased. I have four essays to write this weekend."

Draco sighed. "I know what you mean. It's ridiculous; I never imagined it this hard. Plus, it's not like I have anyone I can study with.

"Aren't Crabbe and Goyle with you?"

Draco snorted. "Vince and Greg were too stupid for anything really, they only just got into the few classes they're in now."

Hermione frowned. "What about Zabini? He's smart. And Parkinson is always following you."

Draco laughed out loud. "Why so curious Granger? Pansy's dumber than a rock who's sadly infatuated herself with me and all Blaise cares about is his looks and girls."

Hermione blushed. "I'm sorry. I just know how hard it is to have to do it alone. Harry and Ron are great, but they're not able to help me very much."

"Well it's no new that they're kind of stupid."

Hermione gave a weak chuckle as they reached the Headmaster's office. "Oh dear, he didn't give us the password."

Draco frowned. "Isn't it blood pops?"

At the word, the stone gargoyle moved aside to reveal a staircase and Hermione and Draco began to climb. Reaching the top, Draco reached forwards and gently knocked on the door.

"Enter." Came the soft voice of Dumbledore and the two of them quietly stepped inside and turned to the smiling Headmaster.

"Good evening Miss Granger, Mr Malfoy. I do apologize if I interrupted your studies, but I would like to begin making plans for the ball." The two of them nodded. "Please, have a seat." Dumbledore gestured towards the soft chairs across from his own. The two of them sat silently and turned back to Dumbledore.

"Well, you have a blank canvas. This is entirely up to you. I do believe I forgot to mention that you will receive credit for this because it will take some time. So please, begin your work, I must make a visit to the kitchens."

Dumbledore stood and quietly exited. Draco turned to Hermione, frowning. "He didn't give us a theme."

Hermione nodded. "Well, we know why we're holding the ball, so that's a start."

"Why don't we just throw a Potter Party?"

Hermione frowned. "Because Harry would hate that. Do you think he wants all the attention he gets?"

Draco shrugged, "He must, somewhat."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "The ball is taking place at the beginning of summer, so we should base the theme on that."

"Alright, how about... something to do with transitions?"

Hermione thought for a moment. "Transition is a good idea. We're moving on to a new season, but also another chapter of our lives."

Draco leaned forwards. "Exactly."

Hermione sighed. "I just can't think of a title."

Draco smirked. "Maybe we don't need one."

"Don't be silly, of course we need one. Something... united? Changing? Together? Oh gosh, it all sounds so stupid."

Draco chuckled. "Let's just skip that for now."

Hermione nodded. "Good idea." She raised her quill and brushed the tip across her cheek. "Colours then. Colour theme, colour theme." She twirled the quill in her fingers as Draco watched amused. There had been something strangely erotic about the way she stroked her cheek with that quill. "Oh! I know!" Hermione exclaimed in excitement, dropping the quill.

As she bent to grab it, Draco did the same and their fingers touched. Shocked by the strange electricity she felt, Hermione looked up at his face, realizing they were mere inches apart. For some reason, her heart skipped a beat. She saw a strange hunger in his eyes as he whispered "Brown" and she breathed "Silver". They stayed like that for a beat, gazing strangely at each other until Hermione sat up and quickly turned away from him.

Draco snapped to his senses. "Silver? That's not a summer colour."

Hermione shook her head. "I meant to say green. And I was actually thinking brown, that's strange that you guessed that. Brown and green make wonderful fall or summer colours and are nice earthy tones."

As she was talking Draco couldn't help but stare at her lips. They moved so gracefully with each word and shinned as the candle light reflected off her minty lip balm. She smiled and he instinctually moved closer to her. She's my enemy! We've hated each other since first year. No, no, no, he thought, what am I doing?

Hermione couldn't help but respond and lean in as well. It was as though a magnet was attached to her and Draco was made of iron. No, she thought, what am I doing?

SUPREME CHEEEEEESE!!!! Hahaha, anyway, please review. Hopefully that`ll knock some creativity into me!